/ 




Copyright 189 1 

by 
J. O. D. Clarke. 




A SKETCH 
P OF ITS HIS- 
TORY : RES- 
IDENCES : : 
BUSINESS 
INTERESTS : ETC. : 
WITH ILLUSTRA- 
TIONS OF PICTUR- 
ESOUE SCENERY 
AND PORTRAITS OF 
LEADING CITIZENS 



J. O. D. CLARKE. 



r^ 






Wa' 



New York 

The REruHLic Press 

1891 




PREFACE 



HE object of this book is to answer clearly and 
completely every reasonable inquiry about 
Ocala and its environs. Believing that this 
purpose would be completely lost by depart- 
ing from the truth, the author has prepared 
the accounts of climate, soil, mineral and 
manufactured products with conscientious accuracy, paring away 
unnecessary adjectives and avoiding the flowery and highly 
colored descriptions which usually characterize books of this kind. 
In the effort to portray Ocala as it is, the book has been pro- 
fusely illustrated with reproductions of actual photographs. By 
this method no distortion of facts is possible; whereas, in the use 
of pen and ink work or wood cuts, the reader has no proof what- 
ever that the attractive scenes on the paper before him have any 
existence except in the vivid imagination of the artist or engraver. 
To this proof of good faith, the writer needs only to add, that 
falsehood or hyperbole about such a favored region as this would 
be "a wasteful and ridiculous excess." 

The men who are described and the interests they so success- 
fully conduct are here to speak for themselves, and Ocala is to-day 
Florida's most prosperous and progressive city. 

^" "J. O. D."' 
Ocala, Florida, July ij, i8gi. 







FLORIDA 




O State in the Union possesses a more interesting, 
romantic and diversified history than Florida. 
From her discovery, early in the sixteenth cen- 
tury, her history has been a continuous chapter of 
romantic occurrences, in which mystery and 
tragedy play ever important parts. 
First came the discovery by De Leon, while in quest of the 
far-sought " Fountain of Perpetual Youth;" then the ill-fated 
expedition of Narvaez, searching for the fabled "'treasures of 
Apalache;" next the long march of the intrepid De Soto, resulting 
in the invaluable account of the early inhabitants of Florida; the 
early Spanish settlement followed; then the " Minorcans" in 
Florida; the Huguenots in Florida; the "War of the Exiles;" 
the Seminole War, and the long train of minor and more recent 
events. The mysteries of the Everglades are yet to be fathomed, 
the subterranean caverns explored, and from the rivers of Florida, 
her mineral springs, rich mineral deposits, fossil remains of pre- 
historic birds and animals, will yet come a story to rival with its 
record of wealth and power, the picturesque and exciting incidents 
of the peninsula's early history. 

A SKETCH OF FLORIDA'S EARLY HISTORY. 

When De Soto landed on the shores of Tampa Bay in 1539, 
there lay before him a region unexplored and unknown to 
Europeans. Florida had been discovered some years before by 



6 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EARLY FLORIDA. 

Ponce de Leon,* and later De Narvaez made an ill-starred expe- 
dition to the new country ; but it remained for De Soto to pene- 
trate the peninsula and give to the world an account of the region 
and its inhabitants. 

THE EARLY PEOPLE OF FLORIDA. 

De Soto found in Florida a race akin to that found in Mexico 
and Peru at this period — a race far in advance of the North 
American Indians. The country was divided into provinces, each 
ruled by a "cacique," who exercised despotic control over his 
subjects. Under the cacique was a head man or councillor; then 
came the nobles, commanding the army; then the warriors, and 
last the vassals, who tilled the fields and performed menial ser- 
vice. 

Each province had its capital or chief town, which was named 
after the cacique, as was also the province. These capitals were 
built as follows: In the center was an immense mound upon 
which stood the Temple, in which the entire populace worshipped 
the sun and moon, and performed funeral and other rites under 
the direction of the head man, who had charge of the edifice. 
Upon this mound also were the dwellings of the cacique and his 
retinue, and that of the head man. Around the mound were clus- 



*JuAN Ponce de Leon was a soldier noble of Spain, who had won distinc- 
tion in the Moorish wars in Granada. He accompanied Columbus on his second 
voyage to the New World in 1493, and for gallant service was made commandant 
of a province of Hispaniola, or St. Domingo. Later he was made governor of 
Porto Rico, where he amassed great wealth. While at Porto Rico he was informed 
by the natives of a wonderful country to the northward, "abounding in gold and 
all manner of delights, but, above all, possessing a fountain of such wonderful 
virture that whosoever bathed in it would be restored to health and youth." The 
Indians called this wonderful land " Bimini." This statement so impressed De 
Leon that he resigned his governorship, and, fitting out three ships at his own 
expense, he proceeded with a company of kindred spirits in quest of his wonder- 
ful "Fountain of Youth." 

He landed at or near the present city of St. Augustine on March 29th, 1512, 
[the year is given by different historians as 1509, 1512, 151-3, and 1521. but 1512 
is generally regarded as correct], and named the land Florida, after the day of 
discovery, which was Pasciia Florida (Palm Sunday). 

De Leon did not penetrate into the interior. He cruised along the Atlantic 
and Gulf Coasts of the Peninsula, until June 14th, and then returned, disheart- 
ened, to Porto Rico, leaving an officer — Juan Perez de Ortubia— with one of the 
ships, to continue the search for Biiiiiiii. Ortubia, upon his return to Porto Rico, 



HIS'lORICAL SKETCH OF KARLV FLORIDA. 7 

tered the dwellings of the subjects, and beyond the well-tilled 
fields, where the natives cultivated maize, vegetables, fruits, etc. 
L)e Soto mentions the following provinces encountered m his 
march between his landing-place (Tampa Bay) and Apalache 
(Tallahassee) : 

1. Hirriga or Hirrihigua. 

2. Mucoco. 

3. Urribaracuxi or Hurripacu.xi. 

4. Ocuera. 

5. Ocaly. 

6. Ochile. 

7. Vitachuco. 

8. Ossachile. 

At Mucoco, De Soto found a Spanish prisoner named Juan 
Ortis. 

TALE OF ORTIS. 

Ortis had accompanied the Narvaez expedition. With three 
companions he was captured by Harriga, cacique of the province 
of that name. His companions were at once put to death by 
Harriga, but Ortis was reserved for torture. After undergoing 
the most fiendish cruelties Ortis excited the sympathy of Harriga's 



claimed to have found Biiiiiiii, which he described as a "large island, verdant, 
and covered with beautiful groves, abounding with crystal springs and limpid 
streams, which kept the land in perpetual verdure, but none capable of restoring 
youth." " Bimini" is supposed to be what is now known as Providence Island. 
This ended Ponce de Leon's quest for the chimerical " Fountain of Youth." 

In 1 52 1 De Leon fitted out two ships and again sailed for Florida, which he 
now knew to be not an island, but the main land. In attempting to land, he was 
attacked by natives and driven back to his ships, which returned to Cuba, 
where De Leon died soon afterward from an arrow wound received in the battle. 
De Leon died at the age of 72, bereft of fortune and friends, and broken-hearted 
at seeing the fruits of his discovery given to others. 

The following epitaph was inscribed upon his tomb: 

''Mole sub hac f ortis rcqiiicscunt ossa Leon is 
Qui vicit factis no/nina /ungna suis." 

This epitaph was thus paraphrased in Spanish by Juan de Castellanos: 
"Aquesfo /u_L;'(rr estiwlui 
Es st'pidii-o del 7'aroii 
Que en el nomhre fue Leon 
y niueho mas in el heelio." 



8 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EARLY FLORIDA. 

daughters, who interceded for him and induced the cacique to 
forego further torture. Harriga then made Ortis guard over the 
dead, enclosed in rude caskets and supported on frames in the 
edge of the forest, where lions and other wild beasts came nightly 
to rob the coffins. Ortis, armed only with "three darts," was 
required to fight off the lions, the crafty Harriga expecting to thus 
get rid of him and elude his promise to his daughters to spare his 
life. One night a lion made off with the body of an infant. 
Ortis, believing he would be killed in the morning when the 
absence of the body was discovered, determined to pursue the lion 
into the forest and at all events die fighting. He came up with 
the lion in the act of devouring the body, and by a lucky cast of 
one of the "three darts" killed him. Killing a lion with a dart 
was regarded as a wonderful feat, and Ortis at once became a 
hero with the natives, excepting Harriga, who, enraged at his 
escape from the lions, determined to put him to death secretly. 
Harriga's oldest daughter, learning of this, planned Ortis' escape. 
She was engaged in marriage to the cacique, Mucoco. Giving 
Ortis a message to Mucoco, begging his protection and kindness 
for her protege, she assisted him to escape in the night from 
Harriga's capital. Ortis reached Mucoco's capital, where he was 
treated kindly by the cacique. De Soto* secured the release of 



*Hkrnando de Soto was the son of a Squire of Badajos, Spain. He came 
to the Spanish Indies early in the Sixteenth Century, and was made a captain in 
the service of the then Governer of the West Indies, Pedro Arias de Avila, whose 
daughter he afterward married. He won distinction in the Spanish invasion of 
Nicaragua, and later with Fernando de Pizzarro in the Conquest of Peru (1532). 
In the latter conquest he won high office, and secured much treasure, which, on 
his return to Spain, he loaned to the Emperor, thus winning his favor. Upon his 
marriage with Donna Isabella de Bobadilla, daughter of Pedro Arias de Avila, 
Earl of Punno in Rostro, the Emperor made him Governor of the Isle of Cuba 
and Adelantado of Florida, with the title of Marquis of such part of the land as 
he should conquer. 

De Soto reached Cuba in 1538, with a fleet of ten fine ships and a brilliant 
following. After establishing his government, which he left in charge of his wife. 
Donna Isabella de Bobadilla, he refitted his ships, and, taking on board 1,000 men 
and 250 horses, sailed for Florida. He left Havana May 12th, 1539, and reached 
Florida on May 25th, coming to anchor in a deep bay (Tampa Bay), which he 
named Espirito Santo, in honor of the day of arrival, which was the day of Pasco 
de Spirito Santo. 

The route of De Soto is best given in Shipp's " De Soto and Florida," which 



HISTORKAL SKETCH OF KARLY FLORIDA. 9 

Ortis, whose woodcTaft was subseciuently of much service 
to liini. 

It is interesting to note that at Hurripacuxi a feast was given 
by the Spaniards and natives combined, each party contributing 
its native viands. Tlie Spaniards contributed bread (pan), the 
Indians a pottage of meat, fruits and vegetables, called l)y them 
"Soff-Kee." This is supposed to have been the origin of the 
name of " Panasoffkee ;" also presumed to be the site of the feast. 

THE rROVIXCE OF OCALY. 

In the early Summer De Soto came to a " deep river with steep 
banks, the height of two pikes," not far from which was a well- 
built village of 600 houses. The river was the Withlacoochee and 
the village Ocaly, capital of the province of that name. De Soto 
goes to some length to describe this province, which he regards as 
superior to any province encountered in his march from Tampa 
Bay to Apalache. He found here '' no bad lands or defiles, and the 
country was higher, more fertile and more highly cultivated." 

Ocal\\ the capital city, was much larger, more populous and bet- 
ter constructed than those of other provinces. The mound in the 
center of the village was of great size, with high and steep sides, 
the only way of getting to the top being by broad, well-con- 



account, being based upon careful comparisons of, and deductions from, those of 
"Biedma," " Garcilasso de la Vega," the " Elvas Narrative," and other historians, 
is most authentic. According to this account, he landed on the eastern arm of 
Tampa Bay, May 25th, 1539, "a large artificial mound marking his landing 
place." He then marched inland to the Indian capital, called IJ iirripacitxi , 
situated about 28 miles from the coast. From there he proceeded to Apalache (at 
or near Tallahassee), about thirty miles from the coast, where he spent the Winter 
of 1539-1540. .-://(?/(7(7/t' is described as a village of fifty or sixty houses. In 
March, 1540, he proceeded northward to the country of Altapalia, near where 
Augusta, Ga. , now stands; thence to Giiachoulc, which has been located in Bartow 
County, Ga., on the Chattahoochee River, near Cartersville, by the ruins of a 
temple on a mound surrounded by a deep ditch, from which was dug up in the 
early part of the present century a granite idol. 

De Soto continued north to the village of Chialia, in the mountains of Georgia. 
He then came south to Ac It us sc (Pensacola Bay); thence westward to C/iicaca, 
" a village of 200 houses, on a river (Tombigbee), where was passed the Winter of 
I 540-1541." Leaving Chicaca in April, 1541, he marched northwest to A/ilhiiiio, 
on the Tallahatchee river; then west to C/iisca or Quiz-quiz, " on the great river" 
(Mississippi). {Quiz-quiz was located near Delta on Friar's Point.) 

De Soto went as far north as Casquin (presumably St. Louis), then back to 



lO HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EARLY FLORIDA. 

structed steps, with side rails, which could be defended readily 
from attack. 

The Temple, the cacique's dwelling and the dwellings of his 
retinue and the head man of the village, on the mound, were large 
and well built, as were also those of the subjects surrounding the 
mound. The houses were all of slabs and boards, chinked with 
clay; the roofs covered with bark, shaped like the scales on a tur- 
tle's shell, the roof taking the form of a turtle's back. All about 
the village were well-tilled fields, in which were grown maize or 
corn and various vegetables. De Soto mentions particularly find- 
ing here "an abundance of vegetables, dried grapes, nuts and 
fruits of all kinds." 

Of the people, the men were tall, well-formed and muscular; 
the women fair and of fine figure. The men all wore a kind of 
chamois or dressed-skin breeches, over which was worn a robe of 
dressed skins, beautifully painted or embroidered. The cacique, 
head man, and nobles were distinguished by head-dresses of 
plumes fashioned from birds' feathers. The women were "dressed 
modestly in a graceful garment of coarse linen or grass cloth, 
beautifully painted or embroidered at top and bottom." Both 
men and women wore moccasins, some being elaborately decorated. 
These natives were well advanced in civilization. They wor- 
shipped the sun and moon under the guidance of the head man or 
hight priest of the village, and had a code of laws for their gov- 
ernment, which were strictly enforced. The marriage laws were 
very strict. Adulteresses were punished much the same as with 

Antiamquc, at the mouth of the Arkansas river, where he spent the Winter of 

1541-1542. 

De Soto died at Guaclioya, on the Mississippi, just below the mouth of the 
Arkansas, May 21st, 1542, of fever. He was 42 years of age when he died. 
His companions, wishing to conceal his death from the natives, first placed the 
remains in a trench over which horses were driven to prevent the grave being dis- 
covered. Mistrusting, however, that they were seen by the natives, they dug up 
the remains again, and, placing them in the trunk of a tree hollowed out for the 
purpose, sunk theip in the mighty river (Mississippi) which he had discovered. 

After the dfeath of De Soto his followers "made their way, amid great 
dangers and losing many of their number in battles with the Indians and by 
hunger, south into Me.xico." The survivors were found, in 1543, at Vera Cruz, 
by one of the vessels sent out by De Soto's wife to search for him. She is said 
to have died of grief soon after learning of his fate. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EARLY FLORIDA. II 

the New Engiand Puritans {vide Hawthorne's "Scarlet Letter"). 
The woman accused of this crime was brought before the caci<|ue 
and his council, in the presence of all the people of the village. 
If the crime was proven, the cacique and council so announced; 
the woman was then " stripped naked and shaved with a kind of 
razor of flint by her husband who then left, taking with him her 
clothes to show that he repudiated her." The woman was then 
lashed and jeered out of the community by the villagers, after 
which her parents took her home and kept her out of sight while 
she lived. 'J'he daughters, wives and mothers who remained vir- 
tuous, however, were treated with all respect and consideration, 
and never, as with the Texas tribes, like slaves. 

The food of the natives was chiefly corn or maize, vegetables, 
fish, fruits and nuts. They also ate meat of animals fit for food 
killed in their hunts, but when they did so, wanted the meat well- 
cooked. The Spanish habit of eating rarely cooked meats they 
regarded as inhuman. 

The cacique's army was composed of well-drilled warriors 
armed with the same weapons used by the Spaniards, with the 
exception of the cross-bow and arquebuss or musket. The army 
was commanded by the cacique with the nobles as officers, and 
until De Soto convinced the cacique of his peaceful intentions, it 
was quite ready to fight to the death, notwithstanding the 
Spaniards were regarded as of supernatural origin and power. 

The natives had considerable skill in dressing and embroider- 
ing the skins of animals for clothing, and the women wove a kind 
of grass cloth, which they used for clothing and various purposes. 
In addition to worshipping the sun and moon these natives had 
certain carved idols, to which they made sacrifice of fruits, 
animals and various treasures. They also had certain festivals, 
which all united in celebrating, such as the anniversaries of suc- 
cessful wars, harvests and the like. One of these festivals, called 
the " Festival of the Virgins," is thus described by De Soto: "A 
circle was marked out on a plain, round which were driven posts 
each about a man's height, after the manner of Roman termini. 
These posts were surmounted by the head of a woman with a vail 
(veil) hanging from her brow down both sides of the face. The 
inhabitants having all assembled in gala garb, each according to 
his rank and quality, the young ladies ranged themselves around 



12 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EARLY FLORIDA. 

the circle, all clad in fantastic dress, and began a rude dance with 
weird gestures. In the center of the circle were placed the three 
virgins of the most exquisite form and beauty, in attitudes similar 
to those with which the ancients represented the ' three graces. ' 
The other young ladies executed a circling dance around the 
'three virgins," to rude music furnished by gourds filled with 
pebbles and shells beaten together. The dance was followed by 
a feast, of which all did partake." 

De Soto crossed the Withlacoochee east of Dunnellon and 
" C^v?/)' "' is supposed to have been located in the vicinity of 
the "Big Hammock." south of Ocala, where are traces of 
an Indian mound; and ancient pottery, weapons, etc., have 
been found. 

The Province of Vitachiico, north of " Crrt-Zy, " was the largest 
province encountered by De Soto, being " 200 leagues in extent." 
This province was divided between Vitachuco and his two broth- 
ers, Ochile and Ossachile, "Vitachuco having five parts, Ossa- 
chile three parts and Ochile two parts." Ochile and Ossachile 
submitted to De Soto, but Vitachuco resisted all advance and gave 
De Soto the hardest battle of his march. In this battle, which 
took place in the vicinity of Micanopy, it is presumed, Vitachuco 
was killed and "above 200 warriors were driven into a pond — 
• — Lake Tuscavilla (?) — where they did remain for 24 hours, swim- 
ming and fighting, before they would surrender." 

This ancient race, with its caciques and citadels, has long since 
become extinct. Traces of them are still found, however, in the 
mounds which they erected, from which are dug up ancient 
weapons, ornaments, pottery and parts of skeletons. Several of 
these mounds are in the vicinity of Ocala, which city is within the 
limits of the Province of Ocaly and preserves its name. 

From the time of De Soto's famous march through Florida, 
but little was known of the interior of the peninsula beyond the 
fact of its Indian occupation, down to the period of the Spanish 
grants. These grants were made during the latter part of the 
F,ighteenth or early part of the Nineteenth Century, and consisted 
of gifts by the Spanish Crown of large tracts of land to certain 
subjects who had become distinguished in war or otherwise. These 
grantees were astute chaps, as they always selected the most valu- 
able lands. The grants were all sustained by the United States 



IIISTOKUAI. SKETCH OF KARLV ILORIDA. 1$ 

(lovernmLMil when Florida was ceded to tlie United States. The 
grants in the immediate vicinity of Ocala are: 

The Sanchez grant. 

The Alvarez grant. 

The Perixdl grant. 

The Catilina de Jesus Hijuelos grant. 

In a few instances the owners of these grants established 
plantations thereon, but, as a rule, they remained without habita- 
tion other than by Indians until after the Indian wars. Some of 
them are still unsettled, while others have been cut up into sec- 
tions and sold to more enterprising owners. 

CHAIN OF FORTS. 

After the "Exile War," which was between fugitive slaves, 
who had escaped from Georgia and intermarried with the Florida 
Indians, and their former owners, who sought to recapture them, 
the United States Government established a chain of forts with 
garrisons extending from Tallahassee to Tampa, and connected 
by a well constructed military road, over which supplies were 
transported. This was about 1S35. One of the most important 
of these forts was Fort King. This fort was situated about three 
miles east of the present town of Ocala. It was a fortified and 
well-garrisoned outpost, and for a long time marked the frontier 
line between the white settlements and the Indian country. It was at 
this fort that Col. Thompson, then the commandant, was ambushed 
and slain by Osceola, the Seminole chief. During Osceola's im- 
prisonment, his wife, described as a beautiful half-breed (negro 
and Indian blood), was seized and sold as a slave. Osceola held 
Col. Thompson personally responsible for this, and determined to 
be revenged. One day Col. Thompson, his wife and a lieutenant 
at the fort, started for an after-dinner walk. They were am- 
bushed by Osceola, who shot the colonel and the lieutenant, but 
spared the colonel's wife. 

Nothing now remains of the fort but a few traces of the old 
earthworks. Its site was upon an eminence commanding an ex- 
pansive view of the surrounding country. It is one of the favor- 
ite picnicking resorts, reached by a delightful drive from Ocala, 
and forms an interesting reminder of the troublous times in the 
pioneer settlement of this section. 



OCALA 




MARION COUNTY. 

ARION COUNTY was set off from Alachua in 1843. 
Its extent from north to south is 38 miles, and 
from east to west 54 miles. The area is 1,645 
scjuare miles. It contains 1,043,840 acres of 
land and 12 square miles of water, embraced 
in 45 1-2 townships. The northern boundary 
is 29 degrees, 15 minutes. 

Marion is aptly termed the "banner'' county of Florida. It 
has higher hills, richer lands and more wild and "sweet bearing" 
orange groves than any other county in the State. As a purely 
agricultural county, in the yield of cotton, corn, peas, potatoes, 
sugar, syrup and other products per acre, it has long enjoyed the 
reputation of excelling all other counties. It is also one of the 
richest in deposits of phosphate, kaolin, ochre, lime, brick-clay, 
etc., and the operations in phosphate and lime to-day exceed those 
of all other counties combined. The output of phosphate is prob- 
ably greater than in any other county in the world. iNlarion 
County is in the center of the Florida peninsula, and forms a 
portion of its water shed, to the ocean on one side and to the gulf 
on the other. It can therefore boast of higher altitude, natural 
drainage, milder climate and exceeding healthfulness. 

The first Marion County Commissioners were : J. M. Mcin- 
tosh, cx-flffi c io ?in(l President; Thos. P>arnes, Abraham Geiger, S. 
F. Halliday, John Morrison. The first Treasurer was John G. 
Reardon, Esq., father of the present Ocala lawyer of that name. 
Up to 1846 all the county business was done at Fort King, 
which was at this period a trading post with quite a settlement 
around it. In this year the County Commissioners located the 
county site or seat, securing for the purpose a section of govern- 



l6 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

meat land near the center of the county, not included in the 
Spanish grants. The new town site was given the name of Ocala, 
and this was the origin of the present flourishing city of that name. 
Dcala is a modification of the ancient Indian name "Cr<7/v," 
meaning '' fair country " or Land of Plenty. Up to 1S50 Ocala 
remained a mere village, comprising a court house, which, as now, 
stood upon the public square; one church, a jail, some ten or 
twelve residences and a couple of stores located around the square. 
About this time a number of wealthy planters came down from 
South Carolina and established plantations around Ocala. These 
plantations, located within a radius of eighteen miles, were among 
the largest and finest in the South. Each had its cotton gin, sugar 
mill, etc., which, with the family mansion, overseer's house, 
quarters of the hands and other plantation buildings, constituted 
quite a village by itself. The planters, among whom were such 
names as Marshall, Owens, Keitt, Waldo, Broome, Martin, Gary, 
Vogt and others, were eminently representative of the ante-bellum 
wealth and culture of the South, and the plantations were the 
scenes of many gay fetes. Likewise in town there was a con- 
tinuous round of society events. 

In 1858 Ocala was in the zenith of her aiite-hcUinn fame. She 
had a resident population of 1,200 to 1,500, and was one of the 
leading social and business centers of Florida. The aggregate 
business of Ocala at this period probably exceeded that of any 
other town in the State. Besides being a source of supply for the 
plantations and a shopping depot for the planters' families, she 
had a general trade, extending from Gainsville to Tampa and 
throughout South Florida. 

Ocala was not materially effected by the Indian war (i855-'7), 
the scene of which was farther south. A company from here, 
however, took part in the war, one of the officers being the present 
member of Congress — General R. Bullock. But the Civil War 
virtually ruined Ocala, although no fighting took place in her im- 
mediate vicinity. During this period nearly all the able-bodied 
men were in the army, the plantations grew up in weeds, business 
was destroyed, and the town was practically depopulated. The 
Ocala of to-day, therefore, dates from the close of the war. 

In 1868 the population was about 200, and some idea of prop- 
erty values at this date may be gathered from the fact that a 



ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 1 7 

corner lot on the scjuare was considered dear at $18.50. 'I'he 
same lot to-day would be cheap at $i 0,000. In 1876 the popula- 
tion had increased to 400, or thereabouts, business was prosjierous 
and increasing, and a new era of progress and prosperity had 
begun. 

TRANSPORTATION PRIOR T(J 'Si. 

Up to 1 88 1 Ocala had to depend for trans])ortation upon the 
St. Johns River and Ocklawaha steamers to Silver Springs, thence 
four miles by a steam tram-road to town. 

FIRST RAILROAD. 

In 1 88 1 the Peninsular Railroad — now the Florida Central and 
Peninsular — was completed to Ocala, and in 1883 the Florida South- 
ern Railroad reached town. This gave Ocala ample communica- 
tion with the outside world, and removed the last obstacle in the 
way of her speedy development into a great inland commercial 
mart. 

THE BIG FIRE. 

But in the latter part of this year a severe blow came. Early 
on the morning of November 27th a fire broke out, which con- 
sumed nearly the entire business portion of the town. Four blocks 
of buildings were burned, including two fine hotels recently com- 
pleted, the court house and all the principal business houses 
located about the square. To add to the disaster, much of the 
property was uninsured. But the people were quick to recover, and 
the work of rebuilding was soon begun. The fire proved a blessing 
in disguise, as, in place of the old-time wooden buildings there were 
erected fine brick structures, which are to-day the pride of the city. 

In 1885 Ocala received a city charter. 

In 1889 phosphate was discovered. This was the most impor- 
tant event in Ocala's history, and to the immense business subse- 
quently accruing therefrom may be largely ascribed her present 
commercial wealth and importance. Ocala has been aptly named 

THE CHICAGO OF FLORIDA. 

In 1880 Ocala was an isolated village of possibly 500 souls. 
To-day, with a population of 5,000, she is the great inland commer- 
cial center of Florida and ranks among the most progressive and 
prosperous cities of the South. This phenomenal growth has been 



38 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



due to no "boom" or other unstable inHuence, but rather to 
natural and accrued advantages, aided by the conspicuous enter- 
prise of her citizens. 

A PICTURESQUE CITY. 

Ocala is one of the best-planned and most picturesque cities of 
the South. In the center is the public square, a well-kept stretch 
of greensward with shade trees on every side, upon which stands 
the Countv Court House. Around the square are located the 




EAST Sl.lUARE. 



banks, hotels and business blocks, all handsome modern stuctures 
of brick, stone and plate glass, and beyond are the churches, 
schools and other institutions. Leading from the square are 
broad suburban avenues, with rows oi majestic trees, whose wide 
spreading branches form a leafy canopy over roadway and pave. 
These avenues are lined with beautiful homes, whose spacious, 
well-shaded and handsomely laid out grounds make a charming 
perspective. Surrounding the town are magnificent orange and 
lemon groves, fruit orchards, vineyards and some of the richest 
truck farms to be found in the South, forming an admirable and 
exceedingly appropriate setting for the " Brick City." 

Ocala possesses in a marked degree all the elements and ad- 



ITS RISF, AND PROGRESS. I9 

vantages of the modern metropolitan community, and in a general 
Avay is in advance of most cities of much greater size. 

PAVED STREETS. 

The city streets and suburban avenues are broad, well graded 
and paved with lime rock, of which there are large deposits in the 
vicinity. This material is comparatively soft when taken from the 
beds, but becomes hard with use and makes a durable and most 
excellent pavement. 

STREET RAILWAY. 

Ocala has a well-equipped street railway, running to all desira- 
ble points within the city limits and to the Exposition grounds. 
The railway company is soon to adopt the electric motor, and will 
extend its line to Silver Springs via Silver Springs Park, and to 
other desirable points. 

ELECTRIC LIGHT. 

Ocala has a first-class electric-light plant of the latest and best 
improved type, which supplies public and private illumination, 
both the arc and incandescent systems being used. The plant 
also furnishes electric motive power for manufacturing and other 
purposes. 

WATER SUPPLY. 

Ocala has one of the finest water-works systems in the South, 
which supplies an abundance of pure water for all purposes. The 
city water has been subjected to a critical examination by Dr. R. 
R. Snowden, analytical chemist, who pronounced it remarkably 
free from all objectionable properties and thoroughly wholesome 
and desirable for drinking, toilet, laundry and other uses. 

[A full description of the water-works will be found elsewhere. ] 

SEWERAGE. 

Ocala has a natural sewerage system, which partakes of the 
phenomenal. Beneath the town, at an average depth of So to loo 
feet, is a swiftly-flowing under-ground river. Connection with 
this river is obtained by natural "sinks" and bared and piped 
sewer wells. 

The town sewage is carried off by two "sinks" or natural 
sewer wells, one of which is located on the northeast, and the 



20 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Other in the southwest part of the city. The former is in the 
shape of a deep grotto in a ledge of lime rock, through a fissure 
in which the sewage passes to the river mentioned. The south- 
west "sink" is in a natural depression, where is a good-sized 
natural well, through which all drainage flows into the river, at 
this point probably 75 feet below the surface. 

Besides the city "sinks" there are three private sewer wells 
located, one each at the jail, Ocala House and Montezuma Hotel. 
These wells are fitted with a four-inch pipe, and so great is the sue- 



^ i' J T 




MAGNOLIA STREET. 



tion of the river, at this point 100 feet below, that each well 
carries off readily the flow from two six-inch sewer pipes. 

This subterranean river was discovered about ten years ago in 
boring for a well. The town sinks were known and used for years 
before, but no particular thought was given to the phenomena 
until the discovery above mentioned. Since that date, however, 
it has been utilized for a sewerage system with signal success, one 
of the most remarkable results being the total absence of sewer gas. 
Nothing definite has ever been developed concerning the source of 
the "river," but it is supposed to have an outlet in the Ockla- 
waha river. 







1 »*r ^S" P* A 



ITS RISE AND I'ROCRESS. 



rhenomena of tliis character are by no means unusual in this 
huul of weird wonders. At or near Wakulla the St. Marks river 
is more subterranean than surface, being, in fact, a succession of 
small lakes at various distances apart, each with a whirlpool and 
strong current in the direction of the flow of the river. The ex- 
tensive caverns recently discovered near Leroy is another of the 
many instances that could be cited in this connection. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT. 

Ocala is policed by the City Marshall and a corps of experi- 
enced and capable assistants, who have no difficulty in maintain- 
ing law and order in the community. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Ocala has the best-equipped and most efficient Volunteer Fire 
Department in the State. It has participated in a number of State 
tournaments and other competitions, and won many prizes, of 
which the members are justly proud. The composition is as fol- 
lows : 

Chief. — J. T. Lancaster. 

First Assistant. — R. E. Yonge. 

Second Assistant — Maurice Rheinauer. 

Marion Hose Co., No. i.— Foreman, F. G. B. Weihe; number 
of members, i8; "Hand Reel." 

Protective Hose Co., No. 2. — Foreman, R. S. Clark; number 
of members, 12; "Horse Reel." 

Young America Hose Co., No. 3. — Foreman, Otto Mente; 
number of members, 16; "Hand Reel." 

Ocala Hook and Ladder Co.— Foreman, Alonzo Walker; num- 
ber of members, 14; " Hand 'Lruck." 

The equipment embraces three hand reels, one horse reel, one 
hook and ladder truck, and 1,800 feet of rubber hose. The ap- 
paratus is of the newest and best improved type; inch nozzles are 
used, with patent cut-off, Siamese couplings, etc. The alarm is 
sounded by a 1,500 pound bell in a tower near the center of the 
city. There are 85 city hydrants, from which, with the natural 
pressure (50 pounds), a stream can be cast perpendicularly 65 feet. 
With the forced pressure (100 pounds) a stream can be thrown 
over any steeple in town. The department, upon several occa- 



22 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

sions, has demonstrated its ability to cope successfully with any 
fire at all likely to occur within the city limits. 

CITY MARKET. 

The City Market is one of the finest institutions of its kind in 
the South. The market house is a fine modern brick structure, 
conveniently located on Main Street. It was erected in 1888, is 
50x100 feet on the ground and open to the roof, with a relative 
height of two and a half stories. The floor is of cement, light and 
ventilation are abundantly supplied, and the facilities for flushing, 
refrigeration, handling and display of meats, produce, etc., are 
first-class in all respects. The market is an important factor in 
the preservation of the health of the city, and a convenience alike 
to marketmen and their patrons. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

As far back as 1847 Ocala had a newspaper — The Ocala Argus. 
There are to-day six papers published in the city, as follows: 

The A^ew Capital — J. W. Harris, editor and proprietor; F. F. 
Harris, city editor. 

The Ocala Banner — F. E. Harris, editor and proprietor; C. L. 
Bittinger, local editor and business manager. 

The Marion Free Press — Wm. K. McDonald, editor and pro- 
prietor. 

The Plain Dealer— Vi. W. Chandler, editor; R. R. Robinson, 
proprietor. 

The Ocala Ledger — R. B. Brooks, editor and proprietor. 

The Baptist Witness — Milton F. Hood, editor and proprietor. 

The New Capital is a six-column, four-page morning daily, with 
a double-size Sunday edition. 

The Banner is a nine-column, four-page weekly, with a daily 
evening edition during the Winter season. 

The others are weekly issues. 

CHURCHES. 

Ocala is well provided with places of worship. There are ten 
churches in the city, as follows: 
Grace Church (Episcopal). 
First M. E. Church, South. 
First Presbyterian Church. 



ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 



23 



First Baptist Church. 

St. Church (Roman Cathohc). 

Synagogue. 

"Church of the Disciples," or Christian Church. 

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church (colored). 

M. E. Church, North (colored). 

A. M. E. Church (colored). 

SCHOOLS. 

The educational advantages of Ocala will compare very favor- 




OCALA UIC.H SCHOOL. 

ablv with those of any city of her size in the country. The prin- 
cipal institutions of this character are: 

The Ocala High School. — Principal, Prof. J. M. Streator, A. 
M. Assistants — Miss E. E. Zeigler, Miss Effie Sells, Miss Fanny 
Clark, Miss Annie Sharpe, ?^Irs. E. E. Streator, Miss Hattie Spiro. 
Eleven grades, 340 pupils. 

The Howard Academy (colored). — Principal, Prof. W. H. John- 
son, A. M. Assistants — Prof. J. W. Alexander, Miss J. K. Burge, 
Mrs. A. A. Johnson, Miss S. F. Johnson, Miss S. L. Hunt. Eight 
grades, 325 pupils. 

The Glen Mary Female College. — This is^a primary school for 
children, and finishing school for young ladies. Principal, Miss 



24 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



Nannie Clements. Assistants — Miss Louise Manly, Miss Minnie 
Nash. The college has recently received from Mrs. S. M. G. 
Gary the gift of a beautiful park in the aristocratic residence 
quarter of the city, upon which will soon be erected handsome 
school buildings. When the proposed plans in regard to build- 
ings and grounds are carried out, the college will have one of the 
finest school properties in the South. 

There are also several private schools, including Mrs. Aukie 
Parker's Music and Kindergarten School. 

Prof. Brooks' Dancing Academy furnishes excellent instruction 
in the terpsichorean art. 




MARIOX OrERA HUUSE. 



OPERA HOUSE. 

The Marion Opera House in Ocala is admirably arranged, has 
a full complement of scenery, a well-appointed stage and all the 
modern improvements in lighting, ventilation, exits, etc. The 
house has a seating capacity of i,ooo, and the auditorium can 
readily be transformed into a ball-room. 

IHE EXPOSITION. 

The Florida International and Semi-Tropical Exposition is an 
institution projected, completed, owned and conducted by the citi- 



ITS RISK, AND PROCRESS. 25 

zens of Marion county, a fact sufificient in itself to establish the 
energetic, prog'ressive character of the people inhabiting the ban- 
ner county of the Floral State. Commenced at anything but a 
favorable time (1888), it has, nevertheless, been a success from 
the start, and now justly ranks among the prominent institutions 
and nK)St important factors in placing before the world the great 
resources and natural advantages of Florida. 

The Exposition buildings, constructed and arranged especially 
for the purpose, are eligibly located on Broadway, a short dis- 
tance from the square, with ample transportation by street cars, 
stages, etc. 

The main building, an imposing structure of symmetrical pro- 
portions, {8350x150 feet on the ground, with several wings or 
extensions which materially increase the floor area. With the 
spacious and beautifully designed grounds the Exposition covers 
forty acres. A tour of the buildings is both interesting and in- 
structive, and an inspection of the many tastefully arranged and 
comprehensive exhibits supplies a better knowledge of Florida and 
her extensive and varied productions, than could be gleaned from 
years of ordinary tourist's travel in the State. The gigantic gen- 
eral exhibition of fruits and products, decorative woods, manu- 
factured articles and materials for manufacture, native flora, etc., 
etc., would be bewildering but for the patient courtesy of the at- 
taches of the Exposition, who are ever ready to guide and 
explain. 

The gentlemen having the enterprise in charge can be aptly 
described as the " right men in the right place." Their manifold 
duties are zealously performed, and they are continually introduc- 
ing novelties in the amusement line. Colby's Exposition Band, 
led by Prof. C. H. Colby, musical director, discourses first-class 
music during the day, and also plays for the tri-weekly Exposition 
Hops, the dancing fioor being the largest in the South. There 
are frequent ''special days," devoted to counties, schools, 
societies, etc., which keep up the enthusiastic interest in the 
Exposition and bring thereto large excursions from all over 
the State. 

The Exposition is open from January to April each year, the 
opening taking place with appropriate ceremonies, civic and 
military parade, speeches, grand ball, etc. The officers of the 



ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 27 

Exposition are George W. Wilson, President; J. O. Clarke, Sec- 
retary; , Director-General; Prof. C. H. Colby, 

Musical Director. 

THE OCALA RIFLES. 

This crack military organization is enrolled in the State Militia 
as "Co. B, 2d Florida Battalion." Its membership is composed 
of the representative young society and business men of Ocala, 
and it is one of the best-eciuipped and best-drilled companies in 
the State Militia. 

The pcrsoiiicl of the company is as follows: 

Captain, R. B. McConnell ; First Lieutenant, P. E. Williams; 
Second Lieutenant, J. R. Martin; Sergeants, i, R. E. Davidson; 
2, J. E. Raysor; 3, George L. A^an Echop; 4, S. R. Birdsey; 5, 
Neil Allred; Corporals, i, B. F. Perry; 2, Gibson McRae; 3, C, 
L Bard; 4, Morris Stearns; 34 privates. 

THE OCALA RIFLE CLUB. 

This excellently conducted social organization is an auxiliary 
of the Ocala Rifles, and is governed by the officers. A portion of 
the armory is utilized for the club rooms, which are handsomely 
furnished with billiard tables and all the equipage of a first-class 
club. The Governing Board is composed of Captain R. B. Mc- 
Connell, First Lieutenant P. E. Williams, Second Lieutenant J. R. 
Martin, Sergeant George L. Van Echop, Privates R. P. Izlar, J. 
E. Bugbee, S. Bernhardt, George Mackay. 

THE OCALA GERMAN CLUB. 

This distinctly social organization takes a leading part in the 
social life of Ocala. The fortnightly "Germans" of the club, dur- 
ing the winter, in the Ocala House parlors, are the society events 
of the season. 

The officers are: President, W. C. Koehnle; Vice-President, E. 
C. Hood, Jr.; Secretary, E. T. Helvenston; Treasurer, W. E. 
Wendt. Executive Committee: Albert Birdsey, O. M. McAulay, 
R. E. Davidson. 

THE OCALA TENNIS CLUB. 

The Tennis Club has fine grounds on Ocklawaha avenue, with 
all the requisites for an enjoyable game. 



28 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

The officers are: President, George Robinson; Vice-President, 
E. C. Hood, Jr.; Treasurer. C. H. Lord; Secretary and General 
Manager, Lon Green. 

LODGES. 

Marion Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M. 

Ocala Lodge, No. 62 (colored), F. & A. M. 

Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite. 

Ocala Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M. 

Harmony Lodge, No. 24, L O. O. F. 

Tutula Lodge, No. 22, L O. O. F. 

Southern Standard Lodge, No. 27 11, G. U. O. of O. F. 

Marion Lodge, No. 3378, K. of H. 

Ocala Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U. W. 

Ocala Lodge, No. 14, K. of P. 

Fort King Division, LIniformed Rank, K. of P. 

SOCIETIES. 

Woman's Christian Temperance LTnion. 
Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Society. 
Society of Christian Endeavor. 

RAILROADS. 

There are now three railroads entering Cicala, viz. : the Florida 
Southern Division of the " J. T. and K. W. System" (Cuban Mail), 
the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad, and the Silver 
Springs, Ocala and Gulf Railroad. The first two give direct and 
fast service to all j^oints in the north and west and throughout 
Florida, including gulf and ocean ports as far south as Tampa. 
The S. S., O. and G. road starts from Ocala, and with its various 
branches traverses the phosphate region and orange belt, and is 
the direct line to Homosassa-on-the-Gulf. 

Beside the above-mentioned, the following roads are now under 
construction or soon to begin: The Florida, Georgia and Western 
Railroad, via Tallahassee and Gainsville to Ocala, thence to 
Punto-Gordo-on-the-Gulf ; the Palatka and Auclote Railroad, Pa- 
latka to Auclote-on-the-Gulf, via Ocala; and the Florida Orange 



ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 29 

Canal and Transit Company's road, which will give direct com- 
munication between Inverness and Ocala. 

WA TKR ROUTE. 

Ocala has also a water route furnished by the Hart Line of 
Ocklawaha river steamers, which i)ly between Silver Springs and 
Palatka, connecting at the latter point with the St. Johns river 
steamers. 

BUSINESS ST A TITS. 

Ocala has to-day in successful operation two national banks, 
one banking loan and trust company, one iron foundry and ma- 
chine shop, two carriage manufactories, two saw and planing mills, 
two cigar factories, two lime industries, a ten-ton ice factory, six 
hotels and between fifty and sixty mercantile houses, one of them 
the largest in the State. 

MARKET TOWN AND SHIPPING POINT. 

Ocala is located in the center of one of the richest agricultural 
and mineral districts in the South. Surrounding the city within a 
radius of thirty miles are hundreds of acres of orange groves, in 
all stages of bearing, while peach, pear, apricot, pineapple, guava, 
grape, plum, and all semi-tropical fruit culture is carried to the 
highest degree of perfection. Within this district are grown over 
one-f/iird of the oranges shipped from Florida to /lortheni markets. 

Here also are some of the largest and most highly cultivated 
truck farms to be found in the State, besides the most valuable de- 
posits of phosphate, kaolin, ochre, lime rock, brick clay, etc., 
which are now or soon to be extensively worked. 

Ocala is the market town or shipping point for all this incom- 
parably rich district, and the immense volume of business accru- 
ing therefrom constitutes a leading factor in her commercial wealth 
and importance. 

The city is the financial and business center for the phosphate 
industry, the interests here represented in this connection being 
the most extensive and valuable in the 7vorld. 

Ocala is situated upon the central ridge or "backbone" of 
the peninsula, which at this point is no miles wide. To the 
north is Orange lake, to the east the "Silver Springs " and Ock- 



30 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

lawaha river, to the south Lake Weir, and to the west ''Blue 
Springs " and the Withlacoochee. The high dry land is entirely 
free from malaria and the refreshing breezes from the ocean 
and gulf combine to produce a mild, equable and healthful 
climate. 

The mean temperature in winter is 60. 69*^ F. This is milder 
than in any other region in the United States. The equability is 
also greater than in any section east of the Rocky Mountains, and 
there are more clear, fair days than in any other State on the 
Atlantic seaboard. During the Summer the range is from 75" to 
970 F. (rarely over 90°). But there are conditions which render 
this temperature much milder than these figures would imply. 
During the rainy reason, which begins early in July and lasts 
until the end of September, there are daily showers which serve 
to cool and freshen the atmosphere. Then there is nearly always 
a strong breeze and in passing from the sunlight into shade one 
experiences a change of from 12" to 15^. But the most important 
feature is the cool nights. After sunset the temperature falls to 
65^ or 70*^ F., and throughout the Summer, nights are rare when 
bed covering is not required. 

A HEALTH RESORT. 

Ocala is remarkably free from sickness of any sort. The city 
has never been visited by yellow fever or other plagues common 
to a warm climate, and pulmonary complaints, sunstroke and 
rabies are unknown. Ocala is commended by the best medical 
authority as a resort for those suffering with all pulmonary or 
throat diseases, chronic rheumatism, gout and senile debility or 
enfeebled nervous system, the warm dry air and resinous odors 
from the piney woods having a wonderful remedial effect. In 
1885, according to the census reports, Marion County numbered 
but 45 deaths out of a population of 17,365, showing the smallest 
death rate of any county in the State. 

In Ocala can be found a delightful home the year round. It 
is a refuge from the cold blasts of Winter in the north and the 
oppressive Summer heat of the far South. Here are combined 
with modern metropolitan advantages the best features of country 
life. A few minutes' walk from the square in any direction brings 
one into a region of delightful suburban avenues, with charming 



ITS RTSE AND PROGRESS. 31 

villas and cottages and magnificent bearing orange groves, fruit 
and truck farms, etc., on either hand. 

The gulf and ocean coasts are sufficiently near and convenient 
of access to admit of a day's outing, with bathing, boating, fish- 
ing, etc., at their best. 

LANDS IN THE VlCIXirV OF OCALA. 

The lands in the vicinity of Ocala are first and second class 
"pine" and "hummock." 

The first-class pine lands are covered with a dark vegetable 
mould, several inches in depth, beneath which, to a depth of sev- 
eral feet, is a chocolate-colored sandy loam, mixed with limestone 
pebbles, resting upon a sub-stratum of marl, clay and limestone. 
The fertility and durability of these lands is suggested by the fact 
that they have been known to yield for thirty years of successive 
cultivation, without the aid of manures, 400 pounds of (lint) sea 
island cotton per acre. 

The second-class pine lands, although not equal to first-class 
"pine," are made valuable and productive by a proper system of 
cultivation. They afford a natural pasturage, are heavily timbered 
with the best species of yellow pine, and are generally, high, dry, 
rolling, healthv and well watered. It is in these lands that are 
usually found the valuable deposits of phosphate, lime rock, 
ochre, kaolin and brick clay, for which this region is famous. 

The hummock lands are the best lands, and Marion County 
has 100,000 acres, some of the finest tracts being within a short 
distance of Ocala. In these lands the orange tree grows indigen- 
ously. They are high, indulating, and perfectly dry lands, are 
covered with a rich vegetable mould, and have an enormous growth 
of hardwood trees. Yields are reported from these lands of forty 
bushels of corn and three hogsheads of sugar per acre without fer- 
tilizing. Planted to bearing orange trees, these lands are priceless. 

The prices of lands range as follows, 5 to 20 miles from Ocala: 
First-class pine, $5 to $10 per acre; second-class pine, $2.5010 
$7.50; hummock, $25 to $100; mineral (phosphate, kaolin, ochre, 
etc.), from $500 upwards— as high as $1,000 per acre refused. 

AGRICULTURAL. 

In earlier times, when the region of which Ocala is the center 
was occupied by large, well-cultivated plantations, the staple pro- 



32 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

ducts were cotton and sugar cane. The cotton raised was the 
" long staple " or "sea island" grade — the finest known. The 
sugar cane was also of the highest grade. Each plantation had 
its cotton gin and sugar mill, in which the crops were prepared for 
market, the cane crop being transformed into crude sugar, syrup, 
molasses, etc. In addition to the above, corn, oats, and the 
various vegetables were raised for home use. 

During and immediately following the Civil War, new sources 
of supply for cotton and sugar were developed, and with the con- 
sequent fall in prices, added to the increased cost of production, 
through the loss of slave labor, the planters could no longer raise 
these crops to advantage. Subsequently, for a goodly period, the 
productions of the plantations comprised chiefly the ordinary field 
crops — oats, corn, some rice and vegetables — for home consump- 
tion. Cotton and sugar cane were not abandoned, however, and 
are still grown, although to nothing like the former extent. The 
cotton now produced is principally of a coarser grade, the "sea 
island" variety being no longer a profitable crop. Meanwhile, 
the planter, through extensive experimenting, had found that 
choice varieties of early vegetables could be most successfully 
produced; but, being without railway facilities, they were unable 
to get their crops to Northern markets in time to compete success- 
fully therein. In 1881 this handicap was removed by the comple- 
tion of a railroad to Ocala, and since this date the growth and 
marketing of early fruits and vegetables has steadily increased, 
and now constitutes a representative and highly prosperous farm 
industry. 




ORANGE CULTURE 




T is the popular supposition that the orange was 
first introduced into Florida by the Spanish 
conquerors early in the sixteenth century. 
There is as good reason, however, to believe 
that they found the orange under successful 
cultivation here. De Soto speaks of finding a 
"great profusion of fruits in the Province of Ocaly, " and why not 
the orange among them ? 

At this period the modern sweet orange was unknown, the 
varieties then under cultivation being the "sour" and "bitter- 
sweet" only. The early settlers of the region about Ocala (which 
is within the limits of the ancient Province of Ocaly) found here 
many wild groves of sour and bitter-sweet oranges ; but so little 
value was attached to them that, as late as the "sixties," they 
were destroyed to make room for cotton planting, as they occu- 
pied nearly always the most valuable lands. The ancient 
Ocalians were proficient horticulturists for their time and quite 
probably cultivated a fruit so thoroughly adapted to their soil 
and climate. The advent of the modern sweet orange in Florida 
is difficult to date but is said to have been brought about in this 
wise: Planters returning from some orange market brought the 
fruit with them and from curiosity planted the seeds in boxes. 
The seeds developed into trees, which were subsequently trans- 
planted and in time bore fruit. This very probably was the 
origin of the first Florida sweet groves. 

Prior to 1835 the culture of the sweet orange was extensively 
carried on at St. Augustine, and large shipments of the fruit were 
annually made. These were also grown at Mandarin on the St. 
Johns River. 

In 183S the "orange coccus," or scale insect, appeared at 
Mandarin, and two years later at St. Augustine, practically de- 




y ajgjriw /J^vrtKTJ-n-jM'jmirajiaaijao 



oran(;e culture. 35 

stroying the groves at both places. By 1855 this pest had spread 
over the State, with equally disastrous effect, and the primal 
Florida sweet orange industry received practically its death-blow. 
There are to-day in Florida a few groves said to be fifty years old, 
including the widely known ''Hart Grove," at Palatka; but the 
majority are not more than half as old, ami the orange industry, 
as now constituted, dates back not more than fifteen years. 

The first grove in Marion County was started in 1850. In the 
spring of this year. Col. Adam L. Fichelberger planted in his gar- 
den near Ocala fifty sour stumps procured at Orange lake. At 
the end of two years these stumps were "budded" with sweet 
buds. In 1855 the little grove was attacked by the scale insect, 
but, under the best of care and fertilization it survived, although 
its growth was retarded. In 1868 this grove came into full bear- 
ing, and in the size and cpiality of the crops demonstrated the 
adaptability of Marion County, and this section (Ocala) in particu- 
lar, for successful orange culture. Col. Eichelberger now con- 
cluded to go into orange culture on a large scale. To this end 
he planted the seed from four barrels of "Parson Brown," 
"Velvet Reel," and other choice varieties of oranges. He also 
set out 4,000 sour stumps, 1,000 of which he "budded" in Octo 
ber. In December of that year (1868) a serious freeze killed the 
budded and sour stumps; but the seed plants survived, and in the 
following spring were transplanted. They were given proper 
fertilization and care, and have now grown into the famous "Eich- 
elberger grove." 

The success of Col. Eichelberger induced his former skeptical 
neighbors to embark in the industry, and Ocala was soon sur- 
rounded by orange groves in various stages of growth. The com- 
pletion of the railroad into Ocala in 1881 gave the needed im- 
petus to the industry, and the growth and shipment of oranges 
to-day is a leading interest of the county. 

There are three methods of starting an orange grove, viz. : 
the "seed," "budding" and "grafting" methods. 

FROM THE SEED. 

This method, while the longest, is considered the best. The 
seed from selected choice fruit is planted in properly prepared 
land. At the proper time the young plants are transplanted in 



36 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

rows (Quinceux order is the best), the trees being not less than 
twenty-five feet apart; thirty feet apart is better, and some plant- 
ers insist upon forty feet as the proper figure. With proper care, 
fertilization, etc., the grove will in twelve years be in partial bear- 
ing and self-supporting. In fourteen years it will yield a bounti- 
ful, well-paying crop, and at twenty years will be in full bearing. 

BUDDING. 

By this method "sour" or "bitter-sweet" stumps from wild 
groves are set out in symetrical rows, twenty to thirty feet 
apart. These stumps are budded with selected sweet buds. Bud- 
ding consists of making a slit in the bark of the stump and insert- 
•.ng a bud, the junction being covered with wax and bound. The 
time for budding is in April or October. If in October, which is 
preferred, the tree remains dormant until the following spring 
(April), when it is topped or cut down to the bud. A budded 
grove bears a paying crop in five years, and is in full bearing at 
ten years. 

GRAFTING. 

This is the old process known to fruit growers everywhere. 
The method of planting and periods of bearing are the same as in. 
" budding." 

COMPARATIVE VALUE OF GROVES. 

A sweet seedling grove of ten acres will have about 700 trees. 
At twelve years old the yield should be three to four boxes, at 
fifteen years eight to ten, and at twenty years fifteen to twenty 
boxes per tree. A budded grove of five-year-old sour stock with 
three-year-old sweet buds should yield at five years seven to eight 
boxes, and at ten years ten to twelve boxes per tree. The budded 
grove is quicker to come in bearing, but more susceptible to cold. 
The possible yield is also less than with the sweet seedling grove. 

The average price of Florida oranges last season (i 890-1) was 
$2 per box. Deducting estimated expense of handling from tree 
to car of fifty cents per box, and there remains a net profit of $1.50 
per box. Thus a sweet seedling grove at fifteen years or budded 
grove at ten years, will yield from 700 trees ten boxes per tree, or 
7,000 boxes, at $1.50 net, making $7,350. Deducting $i,2co for 



ORANGE CULTURE. 37 

fertilization and care of grove for the year, it would yield a net 
income of $6,150. At $1,000 per acre such groves are manifestly 
profitable investments. 

VARIETIES. 

Regarding varieties of the oranges raised in Florida, they 
are simply too numerous for classification. The orange industry 
in Florida is not above fifteen years old, yet in this period more 
progress has been made in accpiiring a thorough knowledge of the 
■orange and its characteristics than anywhere in the world in the 
same time. The scale insect and other dangers encountered here- 
tofore in orange culture are no longer to be feared, safeguards 
having been discovered for one and all. Extensive hybriding, 
fertilizing and selection and zealous care of groves have resulted 
in the development of a class of fruit which stands pre-eminent in 
the market to-day. 

The orange product of Florida in 1SS9 was 2,664,791 boxes, 
of which 364,776 boxes were grown in Marion County. The in- 
dustry is increasing, and the aggregate production of Marion 
County will soon be greatly in excess of the above. 

OCALA AND VICINITV FOR FARMERS AND FRUIT GROWERS. 

Marion County, with her great diversity of soils, from the light 
loom to the deep clay lands, giving plant food adapted to every 
variety of the vegetable kingdom that grows in the temperate and 
semi-tropical zones, offers superior advantages to settlers. Here 
are ample facilities for rapid transportation of products for mar- 
ket, and a large home demand for the surplus, and the amount of 
cultivation required in other sections here bestowed upon farms 
and groves will give a profit beyond comparison. 

Experience has shown that the following can be successfully 
grown in Marion County: 

Field Crops. — Cotton (Sea Island), cotton (upland), corn, hay, 
rice, field peas, sugar cane, tobacco, peanuts, oats, sweet potatoes. 

]'ci:;ctahlcs.— \n<~\\ potatoes, beets, beans, cabbages, tomatoes, 
water melons. 

Fruits. — Oranges, lemons, pears, peaches, grapes, strawberries, 
pine apples, guavas. 

Z/V'6' Stock. — Horses, mules, goats, hogs. 

Poultry, etc. — Turkeys, geese, ducks, chickens, eggs, etc. 



38 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Dairy Products. — Milch cows, milk, butter, cheese. 

Miscellaneous. — Wool, wine grapes, honey. 

The above list only includes what are already raised here, and 
by no means limits the possibilities of this region in this connec- 
tion. There is in the vicinity of Ocala and throughout the coun- 
try a wide field for farmers and small fruit growers, the attention 
of the present settlers being so largely given to phosphate mining 
and orange culture. 

COST OF BUILDING. 

Lumber at the mills is from $12 to $15 per thousand feet, and 
houses of any sort cost fully one-third less than at the North. 
People here do not go in for expensive houses, being content with 
comfortable homes and leaving display out of the consideration. 

LABOR. 

The hire of farm hands ranges from $12.50 to $15 per month 
and board; orange grove hands from 75c. to $1.25 per day, and 
house servants from $6 to $10 per month and board. Mechanics 
get from $2 to $3.50 per day. 

Ocala offers rare opportunities for business establishment. The 
growth of the city in a general way is steady and substantial, the 
population is increasing, new enterprises are continually starting, 
and city and suburban property, while not held at exhorbitant 
prices, shows hardening figures in keeping with the general 
advancement. 





PHOSPHATE, 




|HE commodity commercially known as "phos- 
phate rock," "bone phosphate," "natural 
phosphate," or plain "phosphate," is bone 
phosphate of lime {tricalcic arthophospJiate) in 
ct)mbinati()n with varying percentages of 
silica, magnesia, iron, alumina, carbonate of 
lime, etc. 
Phosphate appears in various forms. When occurring in prisms 
more or less transparent it is called apatite. This name is given 
toother forms also, including a soft, granulated substance resemb- 
ling pure sand and known locally as "sugar phosphate." When 
occurring as the fossilized excrements of animals and birds, phos- 
phate is known as coprolitcs or petrified guano. It is usually m 
the shape of small white nodules imbedded in a buff, plastic and 
chalky matrix, the matrix being also phosphate, but of a lower 
grade. Deposits also occur where the nodules are not distin- 
guishable from the matrix, the whole appearing as a compact, 
homogeneous mass, ranging in color from buff or tan color to 
pure white. This form is unctuous, soft and plastic, or hard and 
tenacious, according to the water action or atmospheric exposure 
to which it has been subjected. Another and distinct form is 
the "pebble" or "bone pebble" phosphate. The color is bluish 
gray, dark blue and blue black, the amorphous nodules ranging 
in size from a pea to a walnut. This form is found in great quan- 
tities in river beds, intermingled with teeth, tusks, bones and 
scales of prehistoric animals. 

The "apatite" form is found chiefly in Canada, the South 
Carolina phosphate is of the nodular form, while in Florida are 
found the coprolite, nodular and pebble forms. The Florida phos- 
phate belt is about 300 miles long, extending in varying quantities 
and qualities from Fort Myers to Tallahassee; the course being 



40 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

from southeast to northwest. The " Ocala "" or hard rock phos- 
phate region is fifty to sixty miles long and one to five miles wide. 
It crosses the Withlacoochee river at Dunnellon, where are the 
most extensive and richest deposits. This phosphate is found in 
boulders, from pebble size to loo tons' weight. It is hard, soft 
and laminated rock, and at times has a flinty appearance. The 
phosphate occurs chiefly in pockets, the best of which are often 
found out-cropping in immense boulders on the highest ground in 
the region. These pockets are scattered more or less thickly 
throughout the hard rock region. There are pockets at Dunnellon 
50 to 100 feet in depth and covering several acres. I'he phos- 
phate here found is hard masses and boulders, intermixed with 
soft phosphate and occasionally clay or sand. 

A great feature of the Dunnellon phosphate is the small per- 
centum of iron and alumina found therewith, cargoes having been 
shipped which contained less than two per cent, of iron and 
alumina combined. Phosphate in other sections of the State is 
often rendered valueless for export by showing too great propor- 
tion of iron and alumina. 



There are several theories as to the origin of phosphate, but 
all agree that the process of formation began at a period ages 
ago, when, according to science, the entire continent was sub- 
merged. The most popular theory heretofore has been that 
Florida, being the lowest part of the continent, received the 
animal and bird deposits, bones, etc., which in the process of 
disintegration became phosphate. 

In the Ocala phosphate region, however, there is a conspicuous 
absence of fossils, bird or animal excrements, etc. This fact, in 
connection with other logical reasons, has led to the following and 
seemingly correct theory by a world-famed chemist and phosphate 
man : Ages since, Florida consisted of soft coral and lime-stone 
reefs, which served as a roosting place for myriad flocks of birds, 
sea fowl, etc. The excrements of these birds leaching through 
the soft lime-stone converted the carbonate of lime by some pro- 
cess of nature into phosphate of lime. In time sand accumulated 
around these reefs and the land, making into ocean and gulf, 
formed the peninsula of Florida, leaving the reefs, now phosphate 



TIIK I'HOSI'IIAIK INDUSTRY. 4I 

deposits, in the interior. An En.iiiish .o;entlenKin, prominently 
identilied with Floritla phosi)hale, and who has ^^iven the subjeet 
nuich tht)Li-ht and study, gives it as his opinion that there was a 
seeond inundation or submersion of the peninsula, and the sea, 
making breaches through the deposits before they became strati- 
fied or hardened, formed the pockets above mentioned. He 
accounts for the " pebble " formation upon the supposition that 
the wash of the sea dislodged fragments of the great deposit 
which became "drift," and eventually lodged in depressions in 
the low lands, river beds, etc. The lower grade of these " pebbles" 
would follow from action of the water and atmosphere, evapora- 
tion, etc., reducing the amount of phosphoric acid. 

DISCOVERY. 

Phosphate is the basis of all fertilizers, and the discovery of 
Florida's immense deposits — the most extensive and richest in the 
world — ranks with California's gold and Pennsylvania's oil dis- 
coveries, and like them was discovered by accident. 

The true history of the discovery and primal operations is as 
follows: In May, 1889, Mr. Albertus Vogt, while digging a well 
on his place — "Rose Bank" — in Dunnellon, discovered a stratum 
of chalky substance similar to lime or marl. Shortly before this, 
Col. Adam L. Eichelberger had discovered a bed of gypsum in his 
orange grove on the Withlacoochee river, not far from Dunnellon. 
Mr. Vogt, thinking he might have found gypsum also, brought 
specimens of his find to the Hon. John F. Dunn at ( )cala. ^[r. 
Dunn sent the specimens to Messrs. Regis, Chauvenet i.\: pjro., 
chemists of St. Louis, for an analysis. He also gave a sample to 
Dr. R. R. Snowden of Ocala for the same purpose. Dr. Snowden 
])rononnced it not gypsum but phosphate, as did also the St. Louis 
firm, both analyses showing it to be exceedingly rich in phosphoric 
acid. His interest excited by these reports, IsL". Dunn paid a visit 
to Mr. Vogt's place and made a thorough examination of this and 
the adjoining property. He also secured samples of the deposits 
in the vicinity, w'hich he sent to prominent chemists in St. Louis 
and New York; also to the Shepard Laboratory at Charleston, S. 
C. In due course the several analyses were received, and all con- 
firmed those previously made. Now^ fully satisfied as to the value 
of the discovery, Mr. Dunn purchased a half interest in Mr. \'ogt's 



42 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

place, containing the well, together with several adjoining tracts, 
and engaged Messrs. Albertus and John Vogt as prospectors, and 
Dr. R. R. Snowden as chemist, to assist him in the purchase of 
phosphate lands, giving them for their services a goodly share in 
all lands secured. In a few weeks a wide section had been pros- 
pected, and about 8,000 acres of choice phosphate lands secured. 
Messrs. S. W. and F. A. Teague now joined Mr. Dunn, and the 
holdings were increased to 13,000 acres. Next, Capt. John L. 
Inglis joined the party, followed later by Messrs. Dutton and 
Lawtey and Alexander Wyllie of Scotland, and although a number 
of capitalists examined the land, these gentlemen were all who 
were willing to invest in the enterprise. 

The organization of the Dunnellon Phosphate Co., with a 
capital of $1,200,000, was the next move, and this, coupled with 
Mr. Bradley, head of the great Bradley Fertilizer Co., taking an 
interest and becoming an active member of the company, drew 
general attention to Florida phosphate, and started many former 
skeptics to prospecting and buying here, there and everywhere. 
By this time, however, Mr. Dunn had purchased, ostensibly for 
the Dunnellon Company, about 80,000 acres, which, with the pur- 
chases of the Messrs. Bradley, gave the company upwards of 
90,000 acres of first choice phosphate lands, probably the largest 
holding of any phosphate company in the world. 

Charleston phosphate runs from 52 to 65 per cent, phosphate, 
25 to 26 per cent, phosphoric acid. Florida phosphate shows 55 
to 87 per cent, phosphate, and 32 to 42 per cent, phosphoric acid. 
Add to this the fact that the deposits found are practically 
inexhaustible and conveniently mined, and it is not unreasonable 
to assume that Florida's phosphate fields are the richest in 
the world. 

GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY. 

Within the past two years the marvelous richness of the Florida 
fields has become world-famed, and capitalists and phosphate men 
from all over this country and Europe have come here and made 
investments. 

There are to-day represented in Ocala eighteen phosphate 
companies, with an aggregate capital of nearly $29,000,000, as 
follows : 



THE PHOSPHATE INDUS'IRV. 



43 



Coiiipaitic-s. Capital. 

Anglo-American $250,000 

New York 4.000,000 

Dunnellon 1,200,000 

Early Bird 500,000 

Eagle 2,000,000 

Globe 5,000,000 

Ocala & Blue River 3,000,000 

Peninsular 200,000 

Netherlands 820,000 

Panassoffkee 100,000 

Standard 2,000,000 

Withlacoochee 400,000 

Marion & Citrus 200,000 

Marion 5,000,000 

Florida 210,000 

Albion 300,000 

Zeigler 200,000 

Boulder 1,000,000 





SCENIC BEAUTIES, 




SILVER SPRING. 

HIS world-famed "sight " of Florida is located about 
five miles east of Ocala. It can be reached by train, 
or, what is better, by a delightful drive through 
ever-changing and always-beautiful semi-tropical 
scenery. The "head spring " or " pool " is a large 
and deep basin from which the waters flow through 
"Silver Spring Run," which is six miles long, to the Ocklawaha 
river, which is a tributary of the St. Johns. Both streams are 
navigable for steamers, a line of which makes daily trips between 
Silver Spring and Palatka. 

Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe called a trip up these streams a 
visit to "Fairy Land." Of her fellow-passengers she said " they 
returned from their trip fairly inebriated with enthusiasm and wild 
with inherent raptures. They had seen Europe, Italy, Naples and 
the Blue Grotto, but never, never had they in their lives seen 
aught so entrancing as this. It was a spectacle weird, wondrous, 
magical — to be remembered as one of the things of a lifetime. " 
Of her own impressions of the Ocklawaha, she says: "The boat 
glides on from hour to hour as the river winds and turns and 
doubles upon itself, with still the same flowery solitudes, reverb- 
erating with the same wild cries of birds, glittering with slanting 
sunbeams, festooned with waving garlands that hang from tree to 
tree." Of her entrance into Silver Spring, she says: " We seemed 
floating through an immense cathedral where white marble col- 
umns meet in vast arches overhead and are reflected in the grassy 
depths below. The dusky plumes of the palmetto waving above, 
lit by torchlight, looked like fine tracery of a wondrous sculp- 
tured roof. The brilliant underwhite of the bay leaves, the 
transparent red of the water-maple, and the soft, velvet feathers 



46 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

of the cypress, had a magical brilliancy as our boat passed through 
the wooded isles. The reflected fire-light gave the most peculiar 
effect. The gray moss that streamed down seemed like draping 
veils of silver and was of wonderful profusion. Clouds of fra- 
grance were wafted to us from orange groves along the shore ; and 
the transparent depth of the water gave the impression that our 
boat was moving through the air. Every pebble and aquatic plant 
we glided over, seemed, in the torchlight, invested with prismatic 
brightness. What a sight was that ! There is nothing on earth 
comparable to it!" 

The waters of the spring begin to rise about the middle of the 
season of Summer rains, and attain their maximum height about 
its termination. The maximum depth of the water in the "pool " 
and adjacent springs is from sixty to ninety feet. There are sev- 
eral deep basins known locally as the "Head," "Bridal Chamber," 
"Bone Yard," etc. The "Bone Yard," located about two miles 
below the " Head," takes its name from the finding of mastodons' 
bones therein. The most remarkable phenomenon in connection with 
these springs is the extraordinary transparency of the water, sur- 
passing anything that can be imagined. On a clear and calm 
sunny day, the view from the side of a boat floating on the surface 
is beautiful beyond comparison, and well calculated to make a 
powerful impression upon the imagination. Every feature and 
configuration of the bottom of the springs is as distinctly visible 
even at this great depth (sixty to ninety feet), as if one were gaz- 
ing through a clear atmosphere only. The bottom is in some 
places covered with a luxuriant growth of fresh water algK. At 
other points it is wholly clear of vegetation and composed of lime- 
stone and white sand. Here the water can be seen boiling up 
through fissures in the limestone. These fissures are filled with 
sand and comminuted limestone, and the springs are indicated by 
the agitation thereof by the ascending currents of water, which 
produce a milk-white appearance about the crevices. Gazing into 
the depths below from a boat, one seems suspended in air, with 
beneath an ever-changing panorama of subaqueous vegetation 
waving to and fro, boiling springs, swaying algffi, etc. ; while 
the numerous fish swimming above give life to the scene. Each 
object in the sunlight is tinged with prismatic hues and by some 
strange, weird, magnifying property of the waters, objects are 



SCl.NIC HKAUIIE- 



47 




AI.ICK SI'KIM;, I;1.UK hPUINGS. 




> ^«^f f?/%.^ 




locixim; down i;ia'e rh'^r 



48 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

enlarged, and their seeming nearness makes it hard to realize the 
actual depth of the basins or pools. Great amusement is obtained 
by dropping a dime or other bright object into the springs and 
watching it slowly settle in the depths, with prismatic changes 
and flashings of light, and seemingly growing larger as it 
sinks. 

Silver Spring has its Indian legend. It is as follows: Oka- 
humkee, one time King over the tribes of Indians which roamed 
and hunted about the northwestern lakes, had a daughter called 
Wenonah, whose rare beauty was the pride of his life. She had a 
wealth of raven tresses which fell about her beauteous form like a 
silken robe, reflecting" back the sunlight with wondrous effect. 
Wenonah was in truth a forest belle, and chiefs and warriors vied 
with each other in the performance of brave feats in the hope of 
winning her hand. But Wenonah had meantime seen and loved 
Chuleotah, the renowned chief of the tribe which dwelt among the 
wild groves of Silver Spring. Chuleotah was a magnificent type 
of physical manhood, and his intelligence and bravery added to 
his attractiveness. Moreover, he was a famous chief, and under 
other circumstances would have been a most desirable "parti." 
But between the tribes of Okahumkeeand Chuleotah there existed 
a deadly feud. No sooner did Okahumkee hear of his daughter's 
love for the hated chief than he gathered his warriors and marched 
forth to give him battle. In the fight which followed, Chuleotah 
was slain, and by the father of Wenonah. Upon the death of her 
lover Wenonah flew to the Crystal Fountain, which had been a 
favorite trysting place, and upon the still bosom of which the pale 
ghost of Chuleotah stood beckoning. With the cry upon her lips, 
"Yes, my own, my loved one, I come!" she plunged into the 
crystal waters and joined her lover in the spirit land. From the 
white sands in the bottom of the spring, long green filaments ot 
moss and fresh water alg?e wave to and fro in the sunlight, which 
they reflect in many bright hues. These are the loosened braids 
of Wenonah's hair, whose beauteous reflections of sun and moon- 
light are the chief glory of the spring. 

The transparency of the springs continues the length of the 
"run," which, flowing between deeply wooded banks, mingles 
with the dark waters of the Ocklawaha six miles below. This 
stream teems with fish of all sizes, which can be seen darting to 



SCENIC BEADTIKS. 49 

and fro about the boat, and now and then an alligator is discerned 
asleep on the bank or swimming' lazily close by. 

Silver Spring' has lon<4- been a noted tourist resort, and a visit 
to Florida without the trip up the Ocklawaha to Silver Si)ring 
is like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. There is an ex- 
cellent hotel at Silver Spring, kept by Messrs. Proskey l^ros., who 
are also proprietors of the Bay House, a noted Summer resort at 
Bellport, Long' Island. The register of this hotel is an interesting' 
study, as in it will be found autographs of many noted personages 
of this and other countries. During the period between now and 
Fall great improvements are to be made at Silver Spring, includ- 
ing the erection of what will be one of the finest hotels in Florida. 
The " Springs " is now a popular resort for Ocalians and picnic, 
fishing and boating parties are of daily occurrence. 

BLUE SPRINGS. 

The far-famed Blue Springs {/as ac/uas az//U)o is a sight to de- 
light lovers of the "weirdly beautiful." This phenomenon has its 
origin in a large pool or basin, known locally as "The Head." 
This pool is fed by numerous small springs, bubbling up from 
crevices in the white sandy bottom with a never-ceasing flow and 
in great aggregate volume. From the "Head" abroad stream, 
known as the Wekiwa or Blue river, winds, in graceful curves, for 
a distance of six miles through a region of rare scenic beauty, its 
waters finally mingling with those of the Withlacoochee at Dunn- 
ellon. The waters of both pool and stream are of crystal-like 
clearness, the marvellous transparency being enhanced by a pro- 
nounced bluish cast, from which the distinctive appellation is de- 
rived. There is also a weird, magnifying effect, and any bright 
substance dropped from the side of a boat seems to grow in size 
as it sinks slowly into the depths, flashing back, meanwhile, in 
prismatic hues the rays of sun or moonlight. 

Boating adown this magic stream is a veritable trip through 
wonderland. From the "Head" to the Withlacoochee there is 
an ever-changing panorama of tropical forest and glade, magic 
pools in shady nooks, etc. ; and while floating dreamily on, alter- 
nately in sunlight and shadow, myriad fish of all sizes flash to and 
fro in the crystal tide. "Tropical Park" and "Alice Spring" r// 
nu/A', embody the grand and romantic beyond description, and 



5° 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 




"the head," blue springs. 




BOATING ON THE BLUE RIVER, BLUE SPRINGS. 



SCENIC liEAUTIF.S. 5 1 

there are many scenic gems which must be seen to be fully aj)- 
preciated. 

There is a line hotel at "The Head," called the Blue Springs 
Inn. It is liuilt in the form of a hollow scjuare, with a large cen- 
tral court, in which is a fountain sui'rounded by an artistic arrange- 
ment of flowers and greensward. There are wide balconies along 
the front and court side of the building, upon which all the rooms 
open. The hotel grounds, a rare combination of grassy lawn and 
shady park, descend in a graceful slope to the shores of the head 
spring or pool, the board walk around which affords a delightful 
promenade. Here also are bath houses and a fleet of launches, 
wherries, punts and other craft for boatmg and fishing. There is 
plenty of game to be found in the vicinity, and the sportsman will 
find abundant employment for his rod and gun. 

The Blue Springs property was recently purchased by Mr. A. 
Mclntyre of Ocala, and is now undergoing extensive improve- 
ments, which, when completed, will make it one of the best 
appointed, as it is one of the most delightful, Florida tourist resorts. 
Blue Springs is less than an hour's ride from Ocala, via S. S. O. 
& G. R. R. , which has a station at the grounds, and its many 
attractions and accessibility make it equally delightful for a day's 
outing or lengthy sojourn. 

HOMOSASSA-ON-THE-GULF. 

This widely popular Winter resort is situated about midway of 
the gulf coast on and near the mouth of the Homosassa river. 
It is forty-five miles from Ocala, via S. S. O. & G. R. R., of 
which it is a main line terminus. There is also a steamboat line 
to Cedar Keys, and it can be easily reached from all points. 

Homosassa is one of the most charming spots in Florida at 
which to pass the Winter. The climate is delightful at all times, 
and the region abounds with semi-tropical scenery of the grandest 
description. Here boating, fishing, bathing, hunting, etc., are 
found at their best and amid scenery rarely to be found even in 
Florida. There is a first-class hotel, "the Homosassa Inn," kept 
by Capt. A. E. Willard. Horses and carriages are kept for riding 
or driving amidst the romantic scenery of the riverside, and ham- 
mocks and row-boats, sail-boats, steam launches, tents and other 
■camping equipage are furnished to guests. A number of elegant 



scKNu: r.KAU'riKs. 53 

villas and cottai^'es have recently been erected in this Arcadian 
retreat — the cotta^^ers includin.u- Messrs. Hoii.u-hton and Dutton, 
the well-known IJoston merchants, and lloniosassa is fast becom- 
ing the St. Augustine of the gulf coast. 

DUNNELLON. 

Dunnellon is situated at the junction of the Wekiwa and With- 
lacoochee rivers, and is one of the most picturesque localities in 
Marion County. It is on the line of the S. S. ( ). -.K: ('.. R. R., 
twenty-five miles — about one hour's ritle — from Ocala and four- 
teen miles from Crystal river on the gulf coast. In and about 
Dunnellon there is much to amuse the visitor, and the region 
offers unusual opportunities for the artist or"Kodaker. " The 
junction of the two rivers and Dunn's Bluff, a romantic spot 
•opposite and commanding a fine view of these streams, has been 
recently placed on canvas by a noted artist with grand effect. 
Dunnellon, within the past two years, has become famous the 
world over through the discovery of her vast phosphate wealth, 
and the mammoth enterprises at present engaged in its develop- 
ment. 

LAKE WEIR. 

Lake Weir is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful if 
not the most beautiful, of Florida lakes. It is situated in the 
southern part of Marion County, on the " central ridge," midway 
between ocean and gulf, and is eighteen miles south of Ocala, on 
the main line of the Florida Southern Railroad, which furnishes 
excellent transportation facilities. 

In ante-bellum days Lake Weir was a favorite resort, famed for 
its healthfulness and mild and equable climate. Here wealthy 
planters had their villas and cottages, and during the Summer 
months passed the time in delightful dolee-far-/iie/ite, with unri- 
valled facilities for fishing, hunting and bathing. Within the past 
decade Lake Weir has more than regained its old-time prestige as 
a health resort, and in addition has acquired a goodly and fast-in- 
creasing permanent population. 

Lake Weir is about seven miles long and four miles in width. 
It is fed by springs, with bottom and shores of hard, white sand, 
and its waters are of crvstal-like clearness and free from all im- 



54 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



purities. Tlie surrounding country is higii and rolling, often ris- 
ing abruptly from the beach twenty to thirty feet, thence continu- 
ing in gradual ascent to the hill-tops, some of which reach a height 
of eighty to one hundred feet. The region about the lake is a 
charming vista of wooded hills and semi tropical vegetation, inter- 
spersed with magnificent country homes, highly cultivated orange 
and lemon groves, grape vineyards and the like. This section of 
the country is peculiarly adapted to successful orange and semi- 
tropical fruit culture, as also for truck farming. The lake affords 
reliable protection from frost, and the fertile soil and salubrious 



LAKESIDE HOTEL AND BLUFF 
SOUTH LAKE WEIR. 




climate still further conduce to the eminently successful prosecu- 
lion of enterprises of this character. 

An instance of what may be accomplished in orange culture is 
shown in the fine grove of Mr. F. C. Buffum, a gentleman late of 
Westerly, R. I., but now, and for some years, a prominent resi- 
dent of "Stanton-on-Lake-Weir. " Mr. Buffum's grove is twelve 
years old. It covers ten acres, upon which are 700 trees, every 
fourth row being lemon, and the balance orange of the famous 
"Parson Brown" variety. The net proceeds from this grove last 
year amounted to $8, 000, and its limit of profitable productive- 
ness is still well in the future. Mr. Buffum's beautiful home (see 
illustration) is one of the many to be seen about the lake. There 



SCKNIC BEAUTIKS. 



55 



is also a fine hotel, with all the adjunctive features of the best 
Sunmier resorts in the sluii^e of l)eautiful ^'rounds, commanding 
an expansive view of the lake and surrounding' rei^ion, steam 
launches, sail and row boats, water [)avilion, bathing-, fishing, 
etc., etc. 

There are many delightful rambles and drives in the vicinity, 
and the woods, teeming with game, present a veritable sports- 
man's paradise. The social atmosphere in this delightful region 
leaves nothing to be desired. The settlers about Lake Weir are 
people of education and refinement, who have been attracted 
hither by the scenic, climatic and other advantages. They have a 
"Chautauqua Society,"" with a fine building on the lake shore, 
constructed for the purpose, which has a seating capacity of 
2,000. 

During the Summer months, the hotels and cottages are filled 
with guests, antl there is plenty of social entertainment. It is, in 
fact, an advanced and progressive community, which is ever 
ready to extend a cordial welcome to newcomers capable of ap- 
preciating its superior advantages. 

The accompanying illustrations will give an idea of this Arca- 
dian bit of Florida, but a visit will be necessary in order to fully 
appreciate its many and varied attractions. 




OCALA DIRECTORY. 



Coutit^ (3ov>ernmcnt. 



Sheriff, . 

Clerk, 

Treasurer, 

I'ax Assessor, 

Tax CoUeetor, 

County Judge, - 

Supervisor of Registration, 



E. T. Williams. 

D. G. Miller. 

- r:)R. S. W. Moody. 

James W. Matthews. 

H. T. Wartmann. 

Richard McConathy. 

E. M. Gre(;g. 



JGoarD of County Commissioners. 

Meets first Monday of each month at Ocala 

H. W. Long, Cliainuan. 
L. M. Ayer. 
John W. Stevens. 



W. P. Williamson. 
Sol. Benjamin. 



Count\2 JGoarD of ipublic flnstruction. 

Meets first Monday in each month in Ocala. 

a\I. L. Payne, County Superintendent. 

F. E. Harris, Chainiuui. 



G. G. Matthews. 



G. R. Grifein, 



Isaac Stevens. 



DIRECTORY. 57 

Counts JBoarD of IRoai? Supervisors. 

R. L. McCi.iKK, Chainiiaii. 
J. G. Drigckrs. J. M. T. Carter. 

J. W. Williams. F. F. Fripp, Clerk. 



Counts J6oar& q>1 IF^ealtb. 

T. P. (lARV, iM. D., President. 
D. A. Smith, M. D. E. 15. RjciiARnsdN, Dickson Erwix. 



Counts JuDiciarS' 



CIRCUIT COURT— Fi fill Judicial Circuit. 

Spring Term, Third Tuesday in March. 
Fall Term, Second Tuesday in October. 

Judge, ----- J. J. FiNLEY. 

States Attorney, . . . . \\ . H. WiGG. 

Sheriff, - - - - - E. T. Williams. 

Clerk, - - - - - D. G. Miller. 



CRIMIXAL COURT OF RECORD. 

Term, Second Tuesday in February, April, June, August, October and December. 

Judge, - - - - - W. S. Bullock. 

.Solicitor, ... - EinviN Badger. 

Clerk, . . . - - L. DoziER. 

PROBATE COURT. 

County Judge, - - - Richard McCox-vlhy. 



^S OCALA, FLORIDA. 

COURl' OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. 
Justice of the Peace, - - - JOHN CoRDERO. 



Cits Government. 



J/AVO/^. 
R. L. Anderson. 



CI TV COUNCIL. 

F. A. Teague, President. 
E. L. Root. E. W. Agnew. 

P. B. Dukes. Wm. Fox. 

B. A. Weatheres. R. E. Yonge. 

G. A. Carmichael. H. W. Chandler. 



CITY CLERK AND ASSESSOR. 
W. L. Jewett. 



CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR 
F. P. Godson. 



CITY ATTORNEY 
Otis T. Green. 



I)1RECT()R\'. 
MARSHAL!.. 

]. 1). WlIJ.IAMS. 



59 



SAXl'J'AK y [XSPF.C'I-OR. 
H. C. Gat IS. 



.V TREE r SI '/'EA'/X TEXDEXT. 

S. S. (OHNSTON. 




REPRESHNTATIVE MEN OF OCALA. 




HON. JOHX F. DUNN. 

HERE are few men of Florida so widely known 
to-day as Hon. John F. Dunn of Marion 
County. Mr. Dunn was born in South 
Carolina in 1844. In 1852 he came to 
Florida, and at the age of 16, enlisted in 
the first company from his county (4th 
Florida Regiment, C. S. A.), to engage in 
the war. After twelve months' service in 
this, he re-enlisted in the 7th Florida Regiment, with which he 
served to the end of the struggle. To this record he owes his 
widely recognized title of " Private Dunn." * 

Mr. Dunn came to Ocala in 1872. Having prepared him- 
self by a course at Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeep- 
sie, N. Y., he began the study of law in the office of Col. S. M. 
G. Gary, a prominent Ocala practitioner, taking care of the office, 
and doing clerical work as required, to pay for the use of the 
library. He was admitted to the bar in 1S73, and subsequently 
for six years practiced in co-partnership with his former employer, 
under the firm name of Gary & Dunn. In 1882 he abandoned his 
profession to take the presidency of the new Bank of Ocala, which 
he had been chiefly instrumental in organizing. It was a private 
institution with a capital of $30,000, and was also the first bank 
organized in the county. In 1887 this bank was reorganized and 
nationalized under the title of the Merchants' National Bank, Mr. 
Dunn becoming the President, an office he still holds. In 18S9 
Mr. Dunn purchased the property and erected the elegant brick 
structure in which the bank has since been located. The building, 
which occupies the most eligible site in the city, was subsequently 
purchased by the bank, and is counted among its most valuable 
assets. 



(32 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Mr. Dunn has ever been a firm believer in land investments, 
and for years has been judiciously purchasing as opportunity 
offered in this connection. As a consequence, he is probably 
to-day one of the largest citizen land-holders of Florida. Of his 
upwards of 60,000 acres of Florida lands, 400 acres are in and 
about Ocala, including "Dunn Park," one of the most valuable 
pieces of city realty, and large and very valualile holdings at Lake 




HON. JNO. F. DUNN. 

Weir. The above acreage is exclusive of his immensely valuable 
interests in phosphate lands. 

Mr. Dunn organized and is President of the Heather Island 
Orange Company, capitalized at $200,000, and owning a 5,000 
acre orange grove in Marion County, and was the leading spirit in 
the formation, and is Treasurer of, the Belleview Company, which 
founded the thriving town of Belleview; the Homosassa Company, 
owning a popular resort on Crystal River near the Gulf; and the 
Withlacoochee and Wekiwa Land Company, which founded the 
town of Dunnellon, named for Mr. Dunn, as was also "Dunn's 
Bluff," at the junction of the two rivers. He is also the founder 
and largest stockholder in the Dunnellon Phosphate Company, 
and in point of fact, there are but few great enterprises in this 







^(v- n ^1 



REPRRSKNTATIVE MKN. 6^ 

section that do not owe to liini their formation and successful 
operation. 

Mr. Dunn has always had the best interests of his adopted city 
at heart, and has ever been prominently identified with their pro- 
motion. To him is due the introduction of electric light, the 
water works, paved streets, the market house, and many other 
modern advantages, which have greatly increased the wealth and 
prosperity of the city. His efforts in behalf of the city have won 
for him the highest esteem, and he is generally recognized as a 
leading spirit, and his opinions sought and respected in every- 
thing pertaining to the public weal. He has been repeatedly 
elected Mayor, President of the Council, etc., whenever he would 
accept the office, in fact — and in iSSS was elected to represent this 
district in the State Senate, receiving over three-fourths of the 
votes cast, and being the first Democrat elected in the district 
since the war. ' 

A little incident, which occurred soon after the phosphate dis- 
covery became public, will show the high estimate and apprecia- 
tion of Mr. Dunn's value to the town. Amazed at his daring 
operations, and fearing that he, gone daft on the subject, was 
going to smash, some of the prominent men of the town essayed 
to remonstrate with him, saying that his services were too valuable, 
the city couldn't afford to have him go down, etc., etc. The reply 
was characteristic of the man: " Gentlemen," said he, " I may be 
wrong, but if the ship goes down, it will be with colors flying, and 
I'll be at the flag-staff." 

As a matter of fact, Mr. Dunn, instead of wild-cat specu- 
lation, was making the investment of his life, with a thorough 
knowledge of the immense value represented. 

In Mr. Dunn are combined the qualities of a genial, courteous 
gentleman, and a shrewd, able and progressive business man. He 
is the type of man that can successfully conduct a dozen different 
enterprises representing millions of capital, conceive and carry out 
original projects for promoting the interests of his town, and 
deliver from the floor of the Senate a speech so logical, penetra- 
ting and conclusive as to carry his point in debate. There was 
one trait of character brought out during the "phosphate epidemic" 
which shows Mr. Dunn, although a practical business man, to be 
anything but sordid in his dealings. During the excitement, all 



64 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

the small homesteaders were anxious to sell, and quite content 
with a moderate advance upon the old value estimate of their 
holdings. To a number of these, Mr. Dunn said: " Keep your 
place; it will never be worth any less, and if it increases in value, 
you should reap the benefit." 

Several thus advised have since disposed of their lands for 
many times the price at which they were then willing to sell. 

Mr. Dunn is to-day one of the most influential and prominent 
men in Florida. Although not the first to find the deposit, to Mr. 
Dunn belongs the distinction of giving it to the world, making 
commercial value, in fact, of the discovery of phosphate. The 
first specimen was brought to him, he secured the first chemical 
analysis and determined its value, and the subsequent extensive 
prospecting, purchase and development of phosphate fields was 
done by him or with his moral and financial support. This, in 
connection with his extensive and valuable phosphate interests, 
has given him the not inapt title of the " Phosphate King." 

E. W. AGNEW. 

E. Walter Agnew was born in South Carolina in 1847, but re- 
moved with his parents to Florida in early boyhood. His father 
was for years a leading merchant and closely identified with the 
material progress of Ocala and Marion County. Soon after leav- 
ing school young Agnew began his business career as junior clerk 
in his father's store. In 1870 he became a co-partner, and upon 
the retirement of his father, in 1884, became the head of the lead- 
ing mercantile house in its line in Florida, and one of the foremost 
in the South. 

Mr. Agnew has always taken an active interest in and given his 
hearty support to any project tending to promote the best interests 
of the commonwealth, and his great wealth and equally important 
influence have been generously devoted to this purpose, with great 
and manifest benefit to the town and county. In 1885 he organ- 
ized the First National Bank of Ocala, and erected the handsome 
building in which the bank is located. He has been the President 
of this institution from the start, and owns the major portion of its 
stock. He also organized the Ocala Company (see sketch, 
etc.), of which he is the Treasurer and Manager; owns and ope- 
rates the Marion Lime Works ; was a leading spirit in the forming 



REPRESENTA riVF. MEN. 



65 



of and a prominent officer and stockholder in the Afarion Phos- 
phate ComiKiny ; owns the " Agnew " and " l-'irst National Bank " 
blocks, and has other and extensive and vahiable interests, all of 
which conduce in an important det^ree to the material development 
and prosperity of the city and county. 

Personally considered, Mr. Agnew is a practical, shrewd and 
progressive business man, while yet preserving the high-bred cour- 




K. WAI.l 1-,K A(,.\K\\ 



tesy and hospitable manner of the true Southern gentleman. His 
generosity and w'illing aid to the ambitious and deserving are pro- 
verbial, and many of his former clerks and townsmen, to-day in 
prosperous business, owe their success largely to his financial and 
moral support. 

COL. ADAM L. EICHELBERGER. 



Col. Eichelberger is a native of Newberry County, S. C. In 
1849 he caught the "gold fever, "and went to California. Shortly 
after, he went South into Mexico, and later to Panama. While in 
these countries he became deeply interested in the orange family, 



66 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

and made a careful study and acquired a comprehensive and 
valuable knowledge of its nature, growth and culture. He now 
resolved to return to the " States" and engage in orange growing. 
Believing Florida to be best adapted for this purpose, he removed 
hither, and, after due consideration of the site question, located 
near Ocala. In 1850 he set out the first orange grove in Marion 
County. It was small, consisting of only fifty budded sour stumps 
set out in his garden, but it formed the nucleus of what is now a 
representative and eminently successful county industry. After 
passing through various trying stages, including the " scale insect " 
plague of '55, the young grove in 1868 came into full bearing, 
and yielded a fine crop of high-grade oranges. Satisfied with the 
success of his experiment, Col. Eichelberger abandoned the mer- 
cantile business, with which he had been prominently identified 
for some years, and embarked in orange culture upon an extensive 
scale. Here success attended his efforts, and Eichelberger's 
" Banana Hill Grove " to-day is known far and wide as one of the 
highest cultivated, most successful and generally finest, orange 
groves in Florida. 

Col. Eichelberger may be aptly termed the " Father of Orange 
Culture in Marion County." A pioneer of the business, he has in 
subsequent years given the subject of orange culture careful study, 
and as a result of extensive experimenting in fertilization, irriga- 
tion, hybriding, etc., has evolved and given freely to his neighbors 
much and valuable information tending to the successful cultiva- 
tion of orange groves. An instance of Col. Eichelberger's skill 
was displayed in 1855, when he successfully fought the "scale 
insect " and saved his grove, when nearly all others in the State 
were killed. Col. Eichelberger is also extensively engaged in 
grape culture, and from his large vineyard of choice "scupper- 
nongs " produces a wine of unrivalled excellence. 

In the early part of 1889 Col. Eichelberger discovered a 
deposit of gypsum underlying his grove. This gave him a keen 
interest in Florida's mineralogy, and when in a subsequent search 
for gypsum, phosphate was discovered at Dunnellon, he secured 
and took to Dr. Snowden the first specimen, the analysis of which 
determined the character and value of the discovery. 

Col. Eichelberger was one of the founders and is now an 
officer of the Withcacoochee River Phosphate Company. He has 



REPRESENTATIVE MEN. 67 

■Other and extensive interests also, in this connection, and is num- 
bered among Ocala's representative "phosphate men." 

F. A. TEAGUE. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Newberry County, S.C., 
in 1853. He was educated at Furman University, and subse- 
quently became a cotton planter in his native State. In 1884 he 
came to Ocala and entered mercantile life, which he abandoned 
three years later to engage with his brother in the real estate busi- 
ness, Mr. Teague has been prominently identified with phosphate 
since its discovery. He was a member of the Dunn syndicate 
which prospected and purchased the first choice phosphate lands, 
and was one of the founders, and since its inception has been the 
Secretary, of the " Dunnellon Phosphate Company," the first- 
established and most prominent enterprise of the "hard rock 
region." Mr. Teague is an extensive owner of real estate in and 
about the city, together with valuable grove and other lands in this 
and adjoining counties. He has had charge for several years of 
the largest estate in the vicinity, and is an authority upon realty 
value. 

Mr. Teague is President of the City Council, President of the 
Ocala Company, Secretary of the Dunnellon Phosphate Co., Di- 
rector of the Bank of Brooksville, head of the drug house of F. A. 
Teague & Co., and member of the real estate firm of S. W. Teague 
•<S: Co., and ranks among Ocala's representative citizens. 

SAMUEL V/. TEAGUE. 

Samuel W. Teague was born in Newberry County, S. C, in 
1852. He was educated at Furman University, S. C, and later 
was a cotton planter in his native State. In 1882 he came to 
Florida, and for two years followed the profession of civil 
■engineer and railroad building. While moving about the State in 
this capacity Mr. Teague acquired a valuable experience and 
knowledge of Florida lands, and became an expert prospector. 
Upon the discovery of phosphate at Dunnellon in 1889, Mr. 
Teague joined the Dunn Syndicate, and being familiar with the 
■country, took a prominent part in the selection of its immense 
purchases of first choice phosphate lands. 

Mr. Teague was one of the founders, and from its inception 



68 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

has been the Land Commissioner of, the Dunnellon Phosphate 
Company, the pioneer and leading company in the "hard rock 
region." He was also one of the incorporators and a director of 
the Buffum Loan and Trust Company, for which until recently he 
was land inspector and appraiser. 

Mr. Teague has been extensively engaged in the real estate 
business for several years, and is the owner of valuable city and 
suburban realty, and large tracts in this and other counties, com- 
prising grove, farm, timber and other lands. He was one of the 
founders, in 1884, of the now progressive and thriving town of 
Lady Lake, located on Lake Griffin in Lake County, twenty-five 
miles south of Ocala. It is one of the prettiest places in Florida, 
presenting a charming vista of hills, lakes, tropical vegetation, 
orange groves, pineapple, guava and other fruit and vegetable 
farms, etc. As a Winter resort it is unrivalled, and for choice 
fruit and vegetable culture it offers advantages rarely to be met 
with.* 

Mr. Teagae resides at Lady Lake, where he has an ideal semi- 
tropical home. He is an enthusiastic horticulturist, and the 
luxuriant growths of choice fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc., upon 
his place show the results of careful cultivation. 

A. MC INTVRE. 

Mr. A. McLityre is a native of North Carolina and was edu- 
cated at the LTniversity of that State. He came to Ocala in 1882, 
and up to 1886 was a clerk in a leading mercantile house. At 
the latter date he resigned to organize the First National Bank of 
Ocala, of which he has been the Cashier from the start, and whose 
success may be largely ascribed to his well-directed and spirited 
management. 

Mr. Mchityre is Secretary and 'I'reasurer of the Ocala Com- 
pany, President of the Ocala Building and Loan Association, Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of the Albion Phosphate Company, and Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of the Seminole Orange and Lemon Com- 
pany. He owns much and valuable real estate in and about the 
city, which he is continually improving and building upon, and is 

* The superior advantages and attractions of Lady Lake are soon to be set 
forth in a handsome illustrated pamphlet. 



K KPK i:si:\ TA ri V e men. 



69 



otherwise and prominently identified witli the growth and progress 
of Ocala. Mr. Mclntyre's i-)lace on Ockhuvaha avenue (see illus- 
tration) is one of the finest to be seen in this vicinity. 

Mr. Mclntyre is also now the owner of the celebrated "Blue 
Springs," of which a full (illustrated) account is given elsewhere. 

.1. O. CLARKE. 

J. ( ). Clarke was born in Oxford, Chenango County, N. Y., 
and educated at the ( )\ford Academy. from 185 i to 1S73 he was 




J. O. CLARKE. 



in the dry goods trade in New York City. He came South in 1S73, 
locating in Savannah, Ga. In 1882 he came to Ocala, where he 
has since made his home. 

Mr. Clarke is Secretary and Director of the Florida Interna- 
tional and Semi-'fropical Exposition at Ocala, and his efforts have 
contributed largely to the success of that institution. He is a 
prominent stock broker and promoter of enterprises, and is popu- 
lar and esteemed as one of the active and progressive business 
men and public-spirited citizens of Ocala. 

R. P.. MC CONNELL. 

Mr. R. B. McConnell was born in this city in 1S67. He is the 
youngest bank cashier in Florida and probably in the country. 



70 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



Upon leaving school he entered the old Ocala Bank as a junior 
clerk. In 1885 he became the Cashier of this institution, through 
a special act of the Legislature permitting him to serve, as he was 
then but 18 years of age. In 1887 he was appointed to the same 
office in the newly organized "Merchants' National," a position 
which he continues to fill with signal ability. 

Mr. McConnell is President of the Brooksville (Fla.), State 
Bank, Secretary and Treasurer of the Withlacoochee River Phos- 
phate Company, Assistant Treasurer of the Dunnellon Phosphate 




R. B. MC CONNELL. 



Company, Treasurer of the La Criolla Cigar Manufacturing Com- 
pany, Secretary and Treasurer of the Florida Bankers' Association, 
and Captain of the " Ocala Rifles." He ranks among the ablest 
financiers of the State and is a prominent figure in both social and 
business circles of the Phosphate City. 

DR. R. R. SNOWDEN, CHEMIST. 

Dr. R. R. Snowden was born in South Carolina, but came to 
Florida in 187 1, and since 1876 has been a resident of Ocala. He 
acquired his profession at the New York College of Pharmacy, 
from which he graduated in the class of 1881, and subsequently, 
until 1888, was prominently engaged in the drug business in Ocala. 

The discovery of phosphate opened up a prolific field for the 



REPRESENTATIVE MEN. 7 I. 

exercise of his professional skill, and to Dr. Snowden belongs the 
honor of having made the first determinate analysis of the now 
world-famed Florida phosphates. This was the oj^portunity of the 
Doctor's life, grasping which, he has fully demonstrated the truth 
of the well-known adage, " There is a tide," etc. 

Abandoning the drug business, he proceeded to construct and 
equip one of the most complete laboratories in the South, with all 
requisite facilities for promptly and properly meeting the ever-in- 
creasing demand for his services as an analytical chemist. Dr. 
Snowden has probably made more analyses and acquired a more 
comprehensive and accurate knowledge of Florida phosphates than 
any man in the State. He was one of the incorporators and the 
first chemist of the Dunnellon Phosphate Company, and later a 
promoter of the Citrus County Hard-Rock Phosphate Company, 
recently absorbed by the New York Phosphate Company. He is 
now President and Chemist for the Anglo-American Phosphate 
Company, Chemical Director and one of the founders of the Glen- 
Alice Phosphate Company, a Director and leading spirit in the 
Orange Canal and Transit Company, a Director and largely inter- 
ested in the Floral City Investment Company, President of the 
Tsala-Apopka Building & Loan Association, and Treasurer of the 
Ocala Furniture Co. Dr. Snowden sold out his laboratory some 
months since, his e.xtensive interests requiring too much of his time 
to give it proper attention. He has, however, a private establish- 
ment equally well equipped, where he makes analyses and experi- 
ments in his own interest. 

Dr. Snowden has served as Treasurer for both Ocala and 
Marion County, and has ever been actively identified with local 
progress. He is the owner of much valuable real estate in and 
about the city, which he is constantly improving and building 
upon, and is to-day esteemed as one of the representative, public- 
spirited citizens of the Phosphate City. Although now possessed 
of both fame and fortune. Dr. Snowden is by no means out of the 
business world. He occupies a handsome suite of offices in the 
"Gary Block," where he manages the business of the Anglo- 
American and Glen-Alice Phosphate companies, in addition to 
looking after his voluminous and valuable private interests. 




BUSINESS INTERESTS 



PHOSPHATE COMPANIES. 




THK DUNNELLON PHOSPHATE COMPANY. 

() REvVIEW of the phosphate industry would be 
complete which failed to give due prominence to 
the mammoth enterprise conducted under the 
above title. The "Dunnellon" was the first 
company to take the field, its incorporation in 
November, 1889, following immediately upon the 
discovery and demonstration of the value of the Florida phosphate 
deposits, with which its corporate members and present officers 
Avere most prominently identified. It is purely a mining company, 
with no land or stock for sale, and is operated and controlled by 
Florida men, which insures to the State the greatest possible bene- 
fit from its immense business. 

The Dunnellon Company has a capital of $1,200, coo, divided 
into 12, 000 shares of $100 each. Its holdings comprise 20,000 
acres of first choice phosphate lands — probably the richest in the 
^•orld — located at Dunnellon and along the Withlacoochee river 
and Tsala-Apopka lake in iSlarion and Citrus counties. The ope- 
rations of the company are upon a mammoth scale. The mines 
are situated at Dunnellon, about one mile back from the main line 
of the S. S. O. & G. R. R., a spur from which, with five miles of 
track, extends into the premises, thus supplying excellent trans- 
portation facilities. Here is a methodically-arranged village, 
comprising laborers' cottages, the more pretentious dwellings of 



74 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

mine superintendents, company store and the various buildings 
identified with the mining plant, railroad station, store houses, 
dry sheds, etc. The machinery and appliances used in mining are 
all of the latest and most improved construction, no feature being 
omitted which could in any way contribute to the advantageous pro- 
secution of the extensive business, which proceeds systematically 
without friction in any department. The company gives employ- 
ment to 400 hands and operates five steam cable hoists and a steam 
dredge boat — the latter for use in river dredging on the Withla- 
coochee. 

The product of the mines is hard and soft rock phosphate of 
the highest quality; the former, for foreign shipment, running never 
lower than eighty and as high as eighty-eight per cent., while the 
latter, chiefly for domestic markets, is in two grades, the first from 
seventy-five to eighty, and the second sixty-five to seventy-five 
per cent. The estimated output for the current year is 60,000 to 
70,000 tons. Dunnellon phosphate is standard value in the mar- 
kets of the world, and particularly in Europe, whither large ship- 
ments are being continually made. 

The officers of the Dunnellon Phosphate Comi)any are: 
President — John L. Inglis. 
Vice-President — Peter B. Bradley. 
Treasurer — John F. Dunn. 
Secretary — Frank A. Teague. 
Land Commissioner — Samuel W. Teague. 
Chemical Director — Dr. Charles U. Shepard. 
Messrs. Inglis, Dunn, and F. A. and S. W. Teague are repre- 
sentative Floridans, whose names are most closely connected with 
the origin, growth and progress of Florida's new world-famed 
industry. Mr. Bradley is the head of the Bradley Fertilizer Com- 
pany — probably the largest enterprise of the kind in the country, 
and Dr. Shepard is one of the eminent chemists of his day, for many 
years Chemical Director of the Charleston Phosphate Company, 
and a recognized authority upon all tpiestions pertaining to deter- 
minate values of phosphate. 

The business of the Dunnellon Company has been character- 
ized from the start by conservative, yet progressive and able, man- 
agement, and it is to-day a representative and eminently success- 
ful industry, contributing in an important degree to the commer- 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



75 



cial wealth and prosperity of the State. The offices of 
Dunnellon Company are at Ocala, Fla., Boston, Mass., 
London, Kng. 

THE MARION I'HGSPHATE COMPANY. 

The Marion Phosphate Company was incorporated May 
1890, with a capital of $5,000,000, and the following officers, v 
President — (ieorge J. Baldwin. 
Vice-President — E. W. Agnew. 
Secretary and Treasurer — W. W. Rogers. 



the 
and 



ist, 
iz. : 




The holdings of the company embrace 36,000 acres of the 
most valuable phosphate lands in Florida, and probably in the 
world, located in Marion, Hernando and Citrus counties. This 
company was the first to make a foreign shipment of Florida phos- 
phate, and its operations from the start have been conducted upon 
a mammoth scale. The seat of operations is at Dunnellon, on 
the main line of the S. S. O. & G. R. R., twenty miles below Ocala, 
where the company has one of the most extensive and finest equip- 
ped phosphate mining plants in the world. Along the line of the 
railroad and extending back to the piney woods, is a model min- 



76 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

ing settlement, comprisini^- laborers' ciuarters, superintendents' 
houses, company store, warehouses, stables, dry sheds, crushers, 
engine houses and other buildings, all substantial structures em- 
bodying every advantage in the way of convenient arrangement 
and general utility. Spurs from the railroad enter the premises at 
convenient points; the mining machinery and appliances are 
the best obtainable, and all requisite facilities are supplied for the 
systematic and generally advantageous prosecution of the work. 
In mine No. i was found the famous "big boulder," a fifteen- 
ton monster, containing <So to 85 per cent, pure phosphate. (See 
illustration). 

The Marion mines produce the richest grade of "hard rock" 
phosphate. " Marion " phosphate is standard value in the trade 
and commands the highest prices in the world's markets, particu- 
larly in Europe, whither from its inception the company has made 
frecjuent and the largest shipments. 

The Marion Company is now mining at the rate of 2,500 tons 
per month, and it is estimated that the output for the current 
year will aggregate 30,000 tons. The officers of the company are 
gentlemen thoroughly conversant with the phosphate industry, 
with the requisite experience and abilit}' for the successful con- 
duct of this gigantic enterprise. Mr. Baldwin is well known as 
the head of the Baldwin Fertilizer Company of Savannah, and 
Mr. Agnew is one of the foremost business men and financiers of 
Florida. (See sketch). Mr. Rogers is an Ocala man, long j^rom- 
inent and popular in business circles. The offices of the Marion 
Company are at Blue Springs, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. 

THE OCALA AND BLUE RIVER PHOSPHATE COMPANY. 

This company was incorporated on the 30th of June, 1S90, 
with a capital of $800,000. In January, 1891, by a vote of three- 
fourths of the stockholders, 18,000 acres of land were added to 
the company's holdings, and the capital was increased to 5^3,000,- 
000, the articles of incorporation for increased capitalizaticjn being 
filed with the Secretary ot State. The company has now 22,000 
acres of choice phosphate lands, located in Citrus, Marion, Levy, 
Suwanee and La Fayette counties. 

I'he com]")any's mines are located four miles southeast of 
Dunnellon, in Citrus county, a spur from the S. S. (). «S: G. R. R. 



BUSINESS INTKRESrS. 



77 



extending' into the premises aiui siip|)lyin!^ all re(]uisite transpor- 
tation facilities. The mining plant consists of the latest and best 
improved methods and appliances for phosjihate minin.s^, including' 
a newly invented "crusher and dryer," which has no equal in its 
field of utility. This apparatus (the only one in existence) by a 
continuous process receives the crude material taken from the 
mines, crushes, screens, wasiies and drys it, and deposits the 
resultant merchantable phosphate in the dry shed. It represents 
a great saving in time and labor, and does the required work 
much better than could be done by old-time methods. The com- 



OCALA AND I'.LUE RIVER 



PHOSPHATE CO 




pany employs 200 hands, and is now taking out 100 tons of phos- 
phate per diem. The company began mining in December, 
1S90, and the first cargo, shi])ped in March, 1891, reached 81.59 
per cent, (unwashed rock.) This is a remarkably high grade, 
even for this famously rich field, and it goes far in proof of the 
superior phosphate in the company's mines. 

The main offices of the company are at Ocala, with a branch 
office in New York. 

The officers are : 

President — R. G. Wright. 

Vice-President — Jas A. Harris. 



78 



OCA LA, FLORIDA. 



Secretary— J. T. Lancaster. 

Treasurer — C. W. White. 

Directors — R. G. Wright, Jas. A. Harris, E. C. Hood, Geo. 
W. Wilson, Jno. G. Reardon, C. W. White, G. C. Stevens, E. S. 
Gaulden, F. E. Harris, J. T. Lancaster. 

"The Ocala and Blue River" is one of the most active and 
progressive companies in the field, and its business for the ensuing 
year will figure largely in the grand aggregate of the phosphate 
industry. 




WITHLACOOrHEE RIVER 

PHOSPHATE CO.'S 

MINES. 




iiiiMi^MiririiiiWiiiliJiiTi[ii i Vvw^*™!^ 



CLUBE PHOSPHATE CO. S 
MINE NO. I. 



THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER PHOSPHATE CO. 

The Withlacoochee River Phosphate Co. was incorporated early 
in 1890, with a capital stock of $400,000 and the following active 
officers : 

President — James A. Harris. 

Vice-President — A. L. Eichelberger. 

Secretary and Treasurer — R. B. McConnell. 

General Manager — William Anderson. 

Superintendent at Mines — W. J. Taylor. 

The company owns 1,780 acres, embracing some of the most 
valuable phosphate lands in Citrus County. These lands are upon 



KUSINF.SS INTERESTS. 79 

the lines of the S. S. O. c\: G. and F. C. \' V. raih'oads, also upon 
the Withlacoochee river, from which the company's title is derived, 
thus affording unusually excellent facilities for transportation. 
The company is now mining extensively and shipi)ing to all mar- 
kets. The plant includes the latest and best machinery and appli- 
ances for the purpose, a force of eighty-five hands is employed, 
and no concern in the field is better equipped or has greater facili- 
ties for prosecuting to the best advantage its large and fast in- 
creasing business. 

The Withlacoochee Co. was among the first to begin mining 
and shipping, the product of its mines comprising hard and soft 
phosphate of the highest grade, which has a standard value in the 
market, and it ranks to-day with the representative and most suc- 
cessful Florida phosphate companies. 

Of the officers, Messrs. Harris and Eichelberger are among the 
leading orange growers of Florida, Mr. McConnell is the cashier 
of the Merchants' National Bank, and Mr. Anderson is a promi- 
nent druggist of Ocala. Mr. Taylor, the Mine Superintendent, is 
a gentleman of experience and ability in this field of industry. 

The offices of the Withlacoochee Co. are at Ocala, the mines 
at Shell Mound, Citrus County, Fla. 

THE NEW YORK PHOSPHATE COMPANY. 

The New York Phosphate Company was incorporated under 
the laws of Iowa in February, 1891, with a capital of $4,000,000. 
The company owns 7,100 acres of high grade phosphate lands in 
Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough coun- 
ties, which were selected at the same time as those of the Dun- 
nellon and Marion Companies' lands, or, in other words, they are 
first choice lands. 

The New York Phosphate Company began mining in Marion 
County on June ist. Six weeks later two other mines were 
opened, and are now in successful operation, one being located 
near Tompkinsville, and the other within four miles of Pemberton 
Ferry. The several mines are equipped with the latest improved 
phosphate mining plant and appliances, and ample transporta- 
tion facilities are supplied by the S. S. O. & G., and a branch of 
the F. S. railroads, both of which extend into the premises. These 
facilities are soon to be augmented by a new railway — under 



8o OCALA, FLORIDA. 

contract for completion by August, 1891 — which will pass through 
the company's property, giving outlets at Archer and Dunnellon. 
The New York Company is composed of prominent New York 
capitalists, who organized with the above title in February last, 
and purchased the property of the Citrus County Hard Rock Phos- 
phate Co. The company has now in contemplation the purchase 
of a large tract adjoining the present lands, which will give it one 
of the largest and most valuable phosphate properties in the State. 
It is the purpose of this company to work systematically upon a 
large scale, with a view to supplying the world's markets with 
standard value phosphate exclusively. 

The company has ample capital, a progressive and able man- 
agement, and, in short, possesses all requisite facilities for carry- 
ing out its plans, and it will at once take a position in the front 
rank of Florida phosphate mining industries. 
Following is the list of officers: 
President— H. M. Pierce, LL. 1). 
Vice-President — Starr J. Murphy. 
Secretary — Robt. M. Boyd, Jr. 
Treasurer — Franklin D. Wheeler. 
Chemical Director — Francis Wyatt, Ph. D. 
General Manager — J. W. Pearson. 

Fiscal and distributing Agents — Central Trust Co., 56 Wall 
street. New York. 

Of the officers. Dr. Pierce is a gentleman prominent in New 
York's social and financial circles; Messrs. Murphy and Boyd are 
of the well-known New York firm of investment lawyers. Murphy, 
Lloyd (S; P5oyd ; Mr. Wheeler is one of the prominent capitalists of 
Newark, N. T- ; and Dr. Wyatt is one of the foremost chemists of 
the country. Mr. Pearson, the Crcneral Manager, is an astute 
business man, eminently qualified for the responsible position he 
holds. 

The offices of the New York Phosphate Company are at Ocala, 
New York, and London, England. 

THE eac;le phosphate company. 

The Eagle Phosphate Co. was incorporated in July, 1890, 
under the laws of the State of L)wa, and is capitalized at 
$2,000,000. The company owns 1,700 acres of choice phosphate 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 8l 

kinds in ]\Iarion County, convenient for transportation, and the 
etiuipment embraces all the improved methods and appliances for 
advantageous phosphate mining. 

The product of the mines is a superior grade of hard rock 
phosphate, for which a standard value will be maintained in all 
markets. 

The officers of the company are: 

President — Andrew S. McCreath, Ph. D. 

Vice-President — A. J. Dull. 

Secretary— A. W. Barrs. 

Treasurer — H. W. Clark. 

Superintendent of Mines — George E. Potts, Ph. B. 

Dr. McCreath is a famous chemist of Harrisburg, Pa. ; Mr. 
Dull is a prominent iron manufacturer of the same city. Messrs. 
Barrs and Clark are leading real estate men of Jacksonville, Fla. ; 
and ]\Ir. Potts is a Bachelor of Philosophy (Yale) and an expert 
mining engineer. 

I'he offices of the Eagle Phosphate Co. are at Ocala and Jack- 
sonville, Fla., and New York City. 

THE EARLV I'.IRD PHOSPHATE CO. 

The Early Bird Phosphate Co. was incorporated in December, 
1890, under the laws of Iowa, with a capital of i|5oo,ooo. The 
company owns 700 acres of the richest phosphate lands located in 
Marion County, and possesses every requisite in the way of min- 
ing plant, transportation facilities, etc. The enterprise will be 
conducted upon a sound business basis, with all the advantages of 
ample capital and progressive and capable officers, and the phos- 
phate mined and shipped to the world's markets will be kept up 
to the highest standard. 

This company began mining in March last. By June the work- 
ing force had been doubled, and the mining operations corres- 
pondingly extended and increased, and it already ranks among the 
representative phosphate mining enterprises of this region. 

The company's officers are: 

President — H. J. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y., and President Buffalo 
Alcholene Co. 

Vice-President — D. O. Ashbaugh, New York. 

Secretary and Treasurer — E. D. Stevens, Buffalo. 



82 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Resident Chemist — L. M. Burbank. 

Consulting Chemist — Francis Wyatt, Ph. D. 

General Manager — J. B. Wilcox. 

The offices of the Early Bird Phosphate Co. are at Ocala and 
New York. 

The transportation facilities of this great phosphate mining 
center are soon to be gfeatly improved. On May 12th a contract 
was made between the " New York," " Eagle "' and " Early Bird" 
companies, and Mr. Ambler, President of the National Bank of 
the State of Florida, by the terms of which a railroad is to be 
built by August next which will pass through the mining centers 
of the companies named, giving them and other concerns in the 
vicinity an outlet via Archer to Fernandina, also connection near 
Dunnellon with lines from Pemberton Ferry. 

This is an important move and will greatly benefit one of the 
richest phosphate districts of the State. 

BOULDER PHOSPHATE COMPANY. 

The Boulder Phosphate Company was incorporated under the 
State laws of Florida, in May, 1891. It has a paid-up capital of 
$600,000, and an authorized capital of $1,000,000, and is officered 
as follows : 

President — Col. R. B. Metcalf of Lexington, Ky. 

Vice-President — J. H. Livingston of Ocala. 

Treasurer — R. B. McConnell of Ocala. 

Secretary — H. C. Vortriede of Toledo, O. 

Business Manager — J. A. McDavid. 

Directors — R. B. Metcalf of Lexington, Ky. ; J. W. Appleton 
of Lexington, Ky. ; S. M. Heller of Napoleon, O. ; H. C. Vor- 
triede of Toledo. O. ; O. J. Carpenter of Covington, Ky. ; R. B. 
McConnell of Ocala; J. H. Livingston of Ocala. 

The company has 3,300 acres of high grade phosphate lands in 
Alachua and Levy counties, with a railroad running through the 
best section, and is pushing forward preparations for mining and 
shipping on a mammoth scale. The lands of the company con- 
tain immense deposits of the richest phosphate, analyses of which 
have shown 77 to 85 per cent. The deposits are either out-crop- 
ping or with a light overburthen, and the strata have been pene- 
trated to a depth of thirty-three feet without going through. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



83 



An immense boulder — probably the largest ever discovered — 
was recently unearthed upon the company's property. It is esti- 
mated to weigh 100 tons, and samples analyzed have shown <S5.25 
per cent, phosphate. The company intend placing this boulder 
on exhibition at the World's Fair, if suitable arrangements can be 
made for its transportation. 

The Boulder Company is the latest to date to perfect its organ- 
ization and begin mining. It will have, however, one of the most 
complete and finest phosphate mining plants, and, with its experi- 
enced and capable management, will at an early date be found in 
the front rank of representative Florida phosphate enterprises. 

The offices of the Boulder Phosphate Company are at Ocala, 
Fla. ; Lexington, Ky., and Toledo, O. 

STRANATHAN PHOSPHATE COMPANY. 

The Stranathan Phosphate Company was incorporated under 
the laws of the State of Florida, in May, 1891, and althougli but 
recently come into the field, it starts out under the most favorable 
auspices, and will quickly take rank among the most prosperous 
as well as most active and progressive companies engaged in the 
phosphate industry. The company has a capital of $100,000 
fully subscribed, with no stock for sale, and owns forty acres of 
selected high grade phosphate land near Anthony, this county, 
where extensive preparations are being made for mining and 
shipping in a systematic and highly advantageous manner. The 
company will have one of the finest plants in the State. The 
equipment will include much newly perfected apparatus, the 
utility of which has been carefully ascertained. The mines are on 
the line of the F. C. ^i P. R. R., which offers every advantage in 
the way of transportation facilities, and no feature will be lackino- 
which could in any way promote the advantageous prosecution of 
the business. The deposit of phosphate on the company's land is 
pronounced by the best authority after careful inspection to be 
one of the richest and easiest mined in the State. There is plenty 
of it, also; a conservative estimate placing it at 1,000,000 tons. 

Capt. L. M. Thayer, the President of the company, is also 
General Manager of the Peninsular Phosphate and Mining Co., 
and a gentleman of experience and thorough knowledge in all 
■departments of the industry. The Vice-President is Mr. C. E. 



84 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Taylor of Ocala, a gentleman prominently connected with the F. 
C. & P. R. R. Mr. N. S. Pennington, the Secretary and Treas- 
urer, is General Trafific Manager of the F. C. & P. R. R., and one 
of the best known and most astute business men of the State. 

THE ALP.ION PHOSPHATE COMPANY. 

The Albion Phosphate Company was incorporated in 1890, with 
a capital of $300,000, and the following active officers, viz. : 

President — Dr. H. Knight. 

Secretary and Treasurer — A. Mclntyre. 

This company owns 2,000 acres of valuable phosphate lands- 
on Peace river in De Soto County. These lands are conveniently 
located for mining and transportation, and the deposits of phos- 
phate are among the richest and most conveniently worked. 

Parties wishing to engage in mining under the most favorable 
conditions, or to obtain a valuable phosphate property thoroughly 
developed for inspection, will find it to their advantage to commu- 
nicate at once with Mr. A. Mclntyre, the General Manager of the 
company, at the First National Bank of Ocala. 

THE GLEN-ALICE PHOSPHATE C0MP.4NY. 

The Glen-Alice mines are located in Sumter County, near 
Bay Hill P. O., where the company owns 52 1-2 acres of the 
richest phosphate land. The mining equipment embraces all the 
newest and best improved machinery and appliances. A compe- 
tent force of hands is employed, and spurs from the F. C. «!v: P. 
and F. S. railroads supply all requisite facilities for transportation. 
The output of the mines, consisting of high grade " hard rock " 
phosphate, is estimated at 40,000 tons for the current year, and 
the superior character of the Glen-Alice product gives it a wide 
market. Dr. R. R. Snowden, the Chemical Director of the com- 
pany, is also the General Manager in charge of the Ocala office, 
and to his well-directed management of the business may be 
largely ascribed the success achieved. 

THE GLOBE PHOSPHATE MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF 
CITRUS COUNTY. 

The Globe Phosphate, Mining and Manufacturing Company of 
Citrus County perfected its organization in August, 1890, at 
which date it was duly incorporated under the laws of Florida. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 85 

The name embraces the idea of its founders and the fundamental 
law of the company, viz. : To dig, to mine, to manufacture. It is 
a distinctively co-operative company, its promoters and officers 
being all owners of lands, and their organization was made and is 
vigorously supported with a view to the more advantageous hand- 
ling and development of their individual holdings. 

The company has an authorized capital of $5,000,000 limited 
to non-assessable shares of $100, each share being entitled to a 
vote. Stock of the company is issued in payment for lands which, 
after a thorough inspection by the company's Board of Appraisers, 
have been pronounced desirable or up to its strictly maintained 
high standard, each shareholder having a voice in their accept- 
ance or rejection. This plan insures to the company none but the 
best lands, and also for obvious reasons makes every shareholder 
directly interested in the promotion of the company's interests. 
In its present status the company has a capital stock issued of $2,- 
313,865.50, and owns 8,541 acres of the richest phosphate lands 
in Florida, which means practically in the world. These lands 
are the result of a careful selection by experts from many thous- 
sands of acres which have been placed upon the company list for 
examination, and it will be apparent to the most obtuse that a 
holding of 8,^41 '-i<^>'cs of selected highest grade phosphate lands 
is greatly to be preferred to a much greater acreage of mixed 
lands. It is the purpose of the Globe Company to develop and 
mine these lands and send the product to the markets of the 
world. 

The Globe Company's lands are located chiefly along the 
eastern side of Citrus County, which has been pronounced by no 
less an authority than the Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, " ///f richest 
eouiity in the world." Valuable tracts are also owned in Hernando, 
Marion and Sumter counties, and all the company lands are con- 
tiguous to river or railroad transportation. The company is now 
making preparations for mining on a most extensive scale, and 
will soon have in successful operation one of the finest equipped 
and best located phosphate mining plants in Florida. The Globe 
Company's lands are located in the center of the Florida phosphate 
fields, and the phosphate deposits thereon are among the richest 
yet discovered., convenient for mining, and practically inexhaus- 
tible. 



86 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Dr. Lupton, in his work on Scientific Agriculture, page 59,. 
gives the best grade of South Carolina phosphate as follows: 

Moisture 7-79 

Organic Matter 4-f>o 

Silica IO-35 

Calcium Carbonate §• 20 

Bone Phosphate 61. 89 

Earthy and Alkaline Salts 7-17 

100.00 

The following is an average of "Globe" hard rock phos- 
phate : 

Moisture i^-45 

Bone Phosphate of Lime 82. 50 

Oxide of Iron and Alumina i- 40 

Organic Matter • 2. 10 

Silica 7-03 

Earthy and Alkaline Salts 5-52 

100.00 

Select samples from the " (llobe " lands run as high as 87 and 
seldom lower than 60 per cent, in bone phosphate. Of ninety- 
four samples sent to the Rev. Dr. James P. De Pass, Experiment 
Station of Florida, the percentum ranged from 52 to 87.97 phos- 
phate of lime, and fifty-five samples contained 81.97 per cent, 
bone phosphate. (See Bulletin No. 10.) 

The officers of the company are: 

President — J. R. Biggs. 

First Vice-President — L. C. Cotton. 

Second Vice-President and Business Manager — T. J. Cochran. 

Third Vice-President — J. W. Williamson. 

Secretarj' — Walter S. Turner. 

Treasurer — C. S. Young. 

Corresponding Secretary — Geo. W. De Muro. 

Directors — Dr. V. M. Metcalf, C. S. Young, E. W. Priest, 
Geo. W. De Muro, J. W. Davis, Dr. V. M. Metcalf, Civil and 
Mining Engineer. 

Mr. Biggs is an ex-physician of Chattanooga, Tenn., and a 
prominent Florida land owner. Messrs. Cotton and Davis are 
representative Florida farmers; Mr. Cochran, formerly a Ken- 
tucky farmer, is now one of the leading men of the new and 
thrivino- town of Inverness, Citrus' county seat; Mr. Williamson 



IJUSINKSS INTERKSTS. QJ 

is editor and proiM-ietor of 7'//r Phosp/tatc Field at Inverness; Dr. 
Turner is a prominent Florida pliysician ; Mr. ^^)ung• is Director- 
General of tlie Senii-Tropical Exposition at Ocala ; Mr. ]_)e Muro 
is a representative Citrus County orange grower; Mr. Priest is a 
Citrus County man, and a large land-owner, and Mr. Metcalf is 
one of the foremost civil and mining engineers of the State. 

The business ofifice of the company is at Ocala, Fla. There is 
now a limited amount of the stock for sale, and parties seeking 
investment in this connection will do well to write at once or call 
for particulars, maps, etc. 




ORANGE GROVES. 




FERNWOOD. 
GROVE OF D. G. EICHELBEKGER. 

NE of the finest orange groves in this vicinity is that 
of Mr. D. G. Eichelberger, called " Fernwood. " 
This grove comprises six and one-half acres and 
is very desirably located just outside of Ocala. It 
is now in full bearing, and the product includes the 
choicest varieties of early Florida oranges. Mr. 
Eichelberger is a native Floridan, and was educated at Roanoke 
College, Virginia. He has been identified with orange culture 
nearly all his life, his father having been the pioneer, and is to- 
day the foremost exponent of this pursuit in the country. 

Besides his home grove, Mr. Eichelberger owns loo acres of 
grove in various stages of bearing in Marion and Sumter counties. 

THE BANANA HILL ORANGE GROVE. 

COL. A. L. EICHELBERGER, OWNER. 

This magnificent grove is located a short distance south of 
Ocala, on Orange avenue. It comprises forty-five acres of the 
richest grove land in Marion County, all of which is under the 
highest and most successful cultivation. There are 4,000 bearing 
trees of the finest varieties of the orange family, and the fruit pro- 
duced by the Banana Hill Grove has a standard value in the mar- 
kets. The owner. Col. Adam L. Eichelberger, was the pioneer in 
the orange industry in Marion County. [See portrait and sketch 
elsewhere.] 

THE FORT KING GROVE. 

J. T. LANCASTER, OWNER. 

The Fort King Grove occupies a beautiful site on Fort King 
avenue, one mile east of the city. This avenue, long a favorite 
drive, is soon to be macadamized to the grove, by popular sub- 
scription of property-owners and residents en route. 



go OCALA, FLORIDA. 

The Fort King Grove comprises 22 86-100 acres, upon which 
are about 1,200 sweet seedling trees. These trees range from 
ten to fifteen years old, are just coming in full bearing, and repre- 
sent the choicest varieties of the orange family. This is one of 
the most picturesque groves in the county. From the street there 
is a gradual rise to the center, thence a gentle slope to the back 
of the grove. A broad avenue leads up to this central ridge, 
where is a fine park of moss-draped live-oaks, overlooking the 
entire grove and commanding a magnificent view of the surround- 
ing country. This park is a natural mansion site, and there is 
only needed one of those commodious, deep-galleried Southern 
houses to complete what may well be termed an ideal Southern 
gentleman's home. 

The Fort King Grove has been kept under a high state of cul- 
tivation and the healthful growth of the trees has been carefully 
fostered. It is symmetrical in the true alignment, the fruit is of 
the finest and earliest varieties, and no more picturesque, prosper- 
ous and in every way desirable piece of grove property is to be 
met with in this section. 

Mr. j. T. Lancaster, the owner, is a prominent Ocala real 
estate and phosphate man. He is secretary of the Ocala & Blue 
River Phosphate Co., and chief of the Ocala Fire Department. 




Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCAI.A, FLORIDA. 



^-Q. I. — 400 acres of land, iS acres in grove, 500 trees now bearing, had crop of 
400 boxes of oranges last year, will have large crop this year. One 
mile from station on S. S. O. & G. R. K. ; 2^-. miles from village of 
Crystal River, and H mile from river, I'ji miles from salt water. Plenty 
of oysters, game, etc. Price, $10,000. 

Ko. 2. — 170,^- acres, all hummock land. 120 acres cleared, balance heavily timbered 
hard wood, rich rolling land. Seven miles south of Ocala, and 2,^-j miles 
due west of Santos, on F. C. & P. R. R. Price, $1,250. 

No. s. — 5-acre orange grove, near Anthony, on F. C. & P. R. R. Price, $2,000. 

Kg. 4. — 33 acres near town of Yulee in Alachua Co., on F. C. & P. R. R., mostly 
cleared, 100 orange trees, 40 bearing, a number of peach and other 
fruit trees bearing, four-room dwelling with necessary out-buildings. 
Price, $1,000. 

No. 5. — 120 acres of land with good four-room house, kitchen and dining room in 
rear, 3 acres in orange trees: crop in 1S89, 12 boxes. Nursery of 
10,000 budded and sour trees, which has and will pay 15 per cent, on 
investment. Small orchard of peach, pear, medlar, strawberries, nuts, 
etc. Titles perfect. Price, $1,500. 

No. 6.— An island in the mouth of the Crystal river on the public highway of 
boats. Old house, 7 acres cleared, suitable for watering place, furni- 
ture factory or canning factory. In all, 102.35 acres at $25 per acre, 
or would sell one-half interest to right party. 

No. 7. — 10 acres of land all cleared, fenced and under cultivation, 2 acres in 
grapes (9 varieties), also variety of peach and other fruit; house of three 
looms, flower garden, barn, horse and wagon. Price, $1,200. 

No. 8.— 73-2 acres of land, all cleared, rail fence, iSo budded trees, 2 years old; 
muck pond on place. Price, $350. 
Lot adjoining above, improved, mild land, two large muck ponds. Price, $400. 

No. 9. — Tract of 79 acres, one acre in grove, 1,000 nursery trees, dwelling-house 
of two rooms, with kitchen, etc., good fence. Pit showing hard and 
soft phosphate. Price, $8,000. 

No. 10. — Lot of 5 acres, two-room house, kitchen and dining-room attached, cel- 
lar, barn and out-buildings, all frame, under good fence; 125 orange 
trees beginning to bear, 14 fine Le Conte pear trees, some bearing; 25 
Kelsey Japan plums beginning to bear, 17 Champion "I" seedlings 
and Concord grapes, Scuppernong grape and other variety of fruit 
trees and flowers, on Lemon avenue, four miles south of Ocala. Price, 
$750. 



Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 

OCALA, FLORIDA. 



No. II. — 20 acres mixed land iV miles from Belleview, iS acres cleared and set to 
trees, but has been neglected. This property cost $1,400 three years 
ago. Price, $1,100, 
Also, lot 22, block 172, Silver Springs Park. Price, $30. 

Lot 4, block 26, Belleview, three minutes' walk from depot. Size of lot 100x150. 
I'rice, $70. 

No. 12. — Tract of 160 acres pine land, 2 acres of bearing orange grove, etc., new 
house of four rooms, cost over $600, three good wells of free stone 
water, 60 acres under good rail fence, two miles from Eureka on the 
Ocklawaha river. Has good range for stock raising. All high, dry, 
rolling pine land. Price, $2,000. 

No. 13. — 93}-<^ acres high, dry, rolling pine land m good locality, five and a half 
miles east of Ocala. Price, $900. 

No. 14, — 20 acres high, rolling hummock land, beautifully situated, one and a half 
miles west of Santos on F. C. & P. R. R. Price, $800. 

No 15. — 8SM acres of land on line of Marion and Lake counties, one and a half 
miles from Pittman on F. S. R. R. in Lake County; 25 acres cleared 
and under fence, 10 acres set to orange trees (900 trees), some bearing, 
and all will bear soon. Crop last year, 50 boxes; crop this year will be 
100 boxes. Good spring of water. Price, $5,500. 

No. 16. — 1 20 acres east of Anthony. New two-story dwelling, 50 acres in culti- 
vation, muck pond and good deposit of phosphate on place. Price, 
$4,000. 

No. 17. — 160 acres pine and hummock land situated near Orange Home, Sumter 
County, 32 or 40 acres in grove just coming into bearing, crop last 
year, 1,000 boxes; beautifully situated on Lake Deaton, one mile from 
railroad depot. Price, $25,000. 

No. 18.— Lots 3 and 4, block '"I," and Lot 1 of block " M," of Highland 
Park, addition to city of Ocala. Lot 3 has six-room dwelling, with 
kitchen, servants' room, etc., earth closet, good fence, etc.; Lots 3 and 
4 have had variety of orange, pear and other fruit trees bearing; situated 
in one of the most desirable parts of the city of Ocala. Price, $3,500. 

If vou don t src -,'//,!f von -a'aa/ on tliis list, -.crih- for it, as ivc are constantly 
i-c'ceivinx' ne-io lia/^ains. 

No. 19.— Weir Park Hotel, situated on Lot 84, containing iM acres of the plot of 
Weir Park, on north side of Lake Weir. Price, $4,000. 



BANKS. 



merchants' national bank of ocala. 
HE Merchants' National Bank of Ocala was origi- 
nally established as the Bank of Ocala in 1882, 
this being the first bank started in Marion County. 
In 1887 the bank was reorganized, nationalized, 
and the present title adopted. The bank building, 
at the southeast corner of the square, is one of the finest business 





merchants' national bank block. 

edifices of the city, and the bank premises are a model of elegant 
appointment, thorough equipment and systematic and convenient 
arrangement. All business pertaining to a first-class metropolitan 
bank is carefully and skilfully executed by a corps of experienced 
clerks, under the supervision of astute and able officers, and the 
large, liberal and highly desirable patronage of the bank distin- 
guishes it as one of the most popular as well as successful institu- 
tions of its character in the South. 

At its inception in 1887, " The Merchants' National" had a 



92 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



capital of $50,000 and deposits aggregating but $60,000. In Jan- 
uary, 1891, the capital was increased to $100,000, the deposits had 
grown to $380,000, and $15,000 of surplus and undivided profits 
had been accumulated ; truly a most prosperous career, and one 
suggesting conservative methods and sound financial and execu- 
tive ability in the management. 

The officers are : 

President — Hon. John F. Dunn. 

Vice-President — H. C. Wright. 

Cashier — R. B. McConnell. 




MERCHANTS NATKINAL l;ANK — INIKKIoK. 

Directors— J. F. Dunn, H. C. Wright, R. B. McConnell, 
Charles Rheinauer, William Anderson, J. A. Rowell, L.M.Thayer, 
E. P. Dismukes. 



THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OCALA. 

The First National Bank of Ocala was incorporated in 18S6, 
with an authorized capital of $150,000, and the following officers, 
who are still in charge, viz. : 

President — E. W. Agnew. 

Vice-President — W. H. Couch. 

Cashier — A. Mclntyre. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



93 



Directors — Iv W. Agnew, W. H. Couch, Ed. Delouest, A. 
Mclntyre, D. C. W. Smith. 

The bank began business with its present working capital of 
$50,000, and its career from the start has been one of uninter- 
rupted prosperity and progress. 

The first statement made June 3d, 1886, gave deposits subject 
to check, $37,866.65. At the last annual statement (February, 
1891), the aggregate of deposits had increased to $329,306.28, and 
the bank had accumulated a surplus of $30,000. 




The bank building is one of the architectural features of the 
city. It is a handsome modern brick of three stories, standing at 
the southwest corner of the square, at the junction of Magnolia 
and Exposition streets. The bank premises are spacious, system- 
atically arranged, and fitted up in a style which embodies the best 
modern ideas of utility, convenience and attractiveness. In ad- 
dition to the ordinary banking methods and appliances, the equip- 
ment includes the largest and finest depository safe in the State. 
This safe was built expressly for the bank, and represents the 
highest degree of perfection attained in this connection. It con- 
tains 147 private boxes, each with patent lock, etc., and every 



94 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

effort has been made to make it absolutely fire and burglar-proof. 
The safe is a great convenience to the bank's patrons, and adds 
materially to the metropolitan completeness and general first-class 
modern equipment of the institution. 

The " First National" does a general banking business, for the 
execution of which it has an experienced clerical force under the 
careful supervision of astute and able officers. Its numerous 
patronage is drawn from the most desirable custom of the city 
and county, and it ranks to-day among the soundest, ablest con- 
ducted and most successful financial institutions of the State. 

THE BUFFUM LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY. 

One of the prominent and successful financial enterprises of 
Ocala is that conducted under the title of "The Buffum Loan and 
Trust Company." This company was incorporated under the 
Florida State laws in 1888, with a capital of $200,000, 
and its business, which was begun in the same year, has 
been characterized by a steady and substantial growth from 
the start. 

The company occupies spacious and elegantly appointed 
premises in the Ocala House Block, which are fitted up in modern 
bank style, and supplied with all requisite business facilities. The 
business of the company is extensive and comprehensive. Loans 
are made and negotiated upon all recognized forms of investment 
security, real and personal property, notes, bonds, mortgages, 
stock, etc., are purchased, sold, exchanged and otherwise disposed 
of, moneys and other deposits are received, and debenture bonds 
are issued, based upon securities held by the company, with pay- 
ments of principal and interest; also collections guaranteed. 
From its inception the company has maintained a conservative 
policy in its extensive dealings. Only strictly first-class securities 
of recognized market value are handled, thus insuring to its many 
patrons safe as well as profitable investment. The company does 
a general business, which distinguishers it as one of the foremost 
institutions of its kind in the State. 

fhe official management is composed as follows: 

President — Frederick C. Buffum. 

Vice-President and Auditor — Edward H. Buffum. 

Secretary and Treasurer — Claude E. Connor. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



95 



Finance Committee — Frederick C. fjiilTum, Edwartl H. lUilTum, 
Robert L. Anderson. 

Board of Directors — Frederick C iiiilTum, Stanton, l^'lorida; 
Edward H. Kuffum, Ocala, Florida; Claude E. Connor, Ocala, 
Florida; Horace L. Cilley, South Lake \\'eir, Florida; Robert L. 
Anderson, Ocala, Florida; Franklin Metcalf, Carolina, R. I.; E. 
K. Pray, South Lake Weir, Florida. 

Company's Attorney — Robert L. Anderson. Ocala, Florida. 



GROVE OF F. C. KUFFUM 




RESIDEN'CE OF F. C. BUFFUM 
STANTON-ON-I,AKK-\VEIR. 



The Messrs. Buffum are natives of Westerly, R. L, but have 
been located in Florida for the past ten years, where they are re- 
spected and prominent in all circles. Mr. Connor came here from 
South Carolina four years ago. He is Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Marion and Citrus Phosphate Company, and a financier and 
business man of recognized ability. Mr. R. L. Anderson, the 
company's attorney, is Mayor of the city and a leading Ocala 
lawyer. 



PHOSPHATE BROKERAGE. 




V,. ARENTZ & CO., 
BROKERS AND DEALERS IN FLORIDA I'HOSI'HATE ROCK. 

N important business enterprise in connection with 
tlie Florida phosphate industry is that of Messrs. 
B. Arentz & Co., brokers and dealers in P'lorida 
phosphate rock, with offices in the National Bank 
building. This well-known and prominent concern 
does an extensive business in the purchase and 
commission handling of the products of the phosphate mines in this 
and adjoining counties, and contributes in an important degree to 
their successful marketing. 

Messrs. Arentz & Co. buy and ship largely to the European 
trade, with which they have cable communication (address 
*' Arentz ") and all other requisite facilities. The extensive and 
valuable trade connection of the house and its prompt and satis- 
factory business methods have won for it the substantial regard of 
the leading phosphate companies, as well as individual miners, and 
the patronage received is both large and liberal. 

Messrs. Arentz <& Co. have recently perfected arrangements by 
which they have become sole agents in the State of Florida for the 
widely known house of Chas. Page & Co. of London and Liver- 
pool. This house has agents in all European localities where 
fertilizers are manufactured, and has long been a leading supply 
depot for this industry. With this connection Messrs. Arentz ..\: 
Co. estimate that their shipments for the current year will aggre- 
gate fully 40,000 tons of high grade (70 to 85 per cent.) rock 
phosphate. They will also control the entire output of several of 
the largest hard rock phosphate companies in Florida. 

Mr. B. Arentz is a Norwegian by birth, but has been many 
years in this country. He was formerly identified with the ferti- 
lizer business in New York and Baltimore. Six years ago became 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



97 



to Florida, and since the discovery of phosphate has been promi- 
nently connected with the industry. For several years he was a 
prospector, from which occupation he drifted naturally into the 
present business, for which wide experience, comprehensive 
knowledge and a wide acquaintance with the trade had eminently 
qualified him. 

Mr. Geo. Hollingshed is a native of Enoiand but came to 
New York in 1866, where for a number of years he was with H. 
B. Claflin, and later (eight years) with H. J. Libbey & Co. He 
•came to Florida in 18S1, locating at Leesburg. In January, 1891, 
he removed to Ocala and embarked in the present co-partnership 
with Mr. Arentz. Mr. Hollinshed has been for the past three 
years in charge of the mortgage business in Florida of Messrs. 
John Stuart & Co., a prominent banking house of Manchester, 
England, and is an extensive land owner in Lake County. 




98 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 




OCALA HOISK. 




ICAI \ llMi ,|. — (iM'ICK 



REAL ESTATE. 




THE OCALA COMPANY. 

kEPRESENTATIVE corporate enterprise of 
Ocala, and one that from its inception has exerted 
an important influence in the city's material 
growth and ]:)rosperity, is that whicli ■ forms the 
immediate subject of the present sketch. The 
Ocala Company is a regular incorporation under 
the laws of the State of Florida. Its capital stock is $500,000, 
divided into shares of $100 each, and is non-assessable. ()f this 
amount, $150,000 is preferred and $350,000 common stock. The 
company owns the Ocala House, one of the finest hotels in the 
State (see description, illustrations, etc.,) and valued at $150,000; 
also, 4,000 acres of valuable land located in and adjacent to the 
city, and known as West End, Ocala. This tract, as will be seen by 
the map on another page, is carefully platted and laid out in town 
lots, with broad streets and avenues. The land is high and dry, 
there are no swamps or otiier objectionable features, and it is, in 
fact, most desirable for both business and residence location. 

In the past two years Ocala has had a growth unprecedented in 
the State, which still continues. West End, Ocala, is in the direct 
line of this growth, and is being steadily and substantially bene- 
fitted thereby. Upon this tract are now the Exposition buildings. 
United States Experimental Station, city electric light plant, and 
a number of residences, stores, etc., with many others either build- 
ing or soon to begin. The street railway already runs to the 
Exposition grounds, with an extension of the line at an early date 
in contemplation ; two railroads pass through the property, and 
Exposition street, a broad, well-kept boulevard, extending from 
the city square to the western limit of the tract, is one of the popu- 
lar drives. West End, Ocala, is, in fact, one of the most valuable 
sections in this vicinity, and no realty interest offers better oppor- 



1 




liUSTNESS INTERESTS. lOI 

tunities to capitalists, business men or home-seekers for safe and 
profitable investment. 

The Ocala Company was or,L,^anized, not, as is generally the 
case, solely as a speculative enterprise, but with a view to pro- 
moting the best interests of the commonwealth by bringing to the 
city desirable citizens and progressive business men. It is now 
the purpose of the company to sell 1,500 shares of the common 
stock, which is offered upon the following advantageous terms: 
To each and every subscriber of $roo will be issued one share of 
common stock, together with a warranty deed for ten town lots, 
40x100 feet each, in West End, Ocala. The proceeds of this sale 
will be devoted to cancelling the preferred stock. This will leave 
2,500 acres in "West End" town lots and the valuable hotel 
property clear of all encumbrances, which holdings will then be 
disposed of to the best advantage, and the proceeds divided pro 
rata among the conmion stockholders. As the value of the re- 
maining 2,500 acres must necessarily have been augmented by the 
stock sale, and as that of the hotel property is steadily increasing 
with the city's growth, the desirability of the investment will be 
readily perceived. Subscriptions for the 1,500 shares of stock will 
be received by the Merchants' National and First National Banks 
of Ocala, and certificates of stock, with deeds for lots, will be 
promptly forwarded. 

The officers of the Ocala Company are: 

President — F. A. Teague. 

A^ice-President — Chas. W. White. 

Secretary and Treasurer — A. Mclntyre. 

Business Manager — E. \\. Agnew. ; 

The Ocala House was erected in 1884, and in its construction: 
are embodied the most advanced ideas in point of safety, comfort, 
convenience and general completeness. It is an imposing stucture 
of brick, three stories in height, with a central tower rising above 
in symmetrical proportion. The premises cover the area of a 
city block, the building extending, L-shaped, along two sides, 
while the balance of the square is devoted to the justly celebrated 
Ocala House Gardens, a charming vista of flowers, parterres, 
rustic arbors, vine-covered nooks and labyrinthine walks, with a 
large fountain in the center, serving the double purpose of cooling 
the atmosphere and giving the requisite artistic finish to one of 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 




OCALA HOUSE — PARLOR. 




OCAL.\ HOUSE — DINING ROOM. 



r.USINKSS INTERKSTS, 



103 



the most deli,uhtful scenes in the land of flowers. The .uardens 
should be seen under the silvery light of the Florida moon to be 
appreciated. Along the front and rear of the main building — the 
former overlooking the square and the latter the gardens — also 
upon the street side of the wing, are broad double balconies. The 
hotel tower commands an expansive view of Ocala and the sur- 
rounding country. 

The interior finish of the hotel is in native woods of rich 
design, with tinted walls and ceilings, frescoed in harmonious 
colors. The general appointment and furnishing are of the sump- 




OCALA HOUSE — FIRE TLACE NOOK. 

tuous and tasteful character peculiar to the modern first-class 

hotel. 

Upon the first floor of the main building are the office, recep- 
tion and writing rooms, parlors and drawing room, the latter a 
magnificent apartment opening upon the front and rear balconies 
with portiere-protected entrances to halls and ante-rooms. Upon 
this floor also, are five commodious stores, which, from the un- 
rivalled desirability of the site, are in great demand. The 
dining hall, to which the greater part of the first floor of the wing 
is devoted, has a seating capacity of 200, and is one of the best- 
lighted and ventilated apartments of its kind in the South. 
Broad, richly ornamented stairways lead to the sleeping apart- 



I04 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

ments on the upper floors. Here wide corridors traverse the 
building, the " Fire Place Nook " (see illustration) at the junction 
of main and wing halls affording an ideal lounging place. There 
are 200 sleeping rooms, single and cii si/itc, each provided with 
fire-place and other accessories of convenience and comfort, with 
large windows and corridor transoms, which supply abundant 
light and ventilation. 

The Ocala House, in addition to being a model of systematic 
and comfortable arrangement, embraces in its equipment all the 
modern hotel improvements, including bath and toilet rooms, elec- 
tric light and call bells, telephone, etc. The cuisine — that crucial 
hotel test — is first-class in every particular, the service is all that 
could be desired, and the air of quiet elegance which pervades the 
establishment indicates a zealous and able management. During 
the Winter months a fine orchestra gives daily and evening con- 
certs and also supplies music for the frequent (iermans, hops, etc., 
held in the hotel parlors. These afl:"airs, to which the hotel guests 
are invited, are leading society events, attended by the elite of 
this and the adjoining towns. 

The Ocala House receives a large and constantly increasing 
tourist patronage. It is situated about midway between Jackson- 
ville and Tampa, on the popular route to Key West and Havana, 
in a city noted for its many and varied attractions. Here is 
annually held the Semi-Tropical E.xposition. In the suburbs are 
some of the finest orange groves in the State, with plenty of de- 
lightful drives amid the perfection of Florida scenery. Ocala also 
is the one convenient point from which to visit Silver Springs 
and the Ocklawaha, Blue Springs, and Dunnellon phosphate 
mines. 

During the Summer the hotel will undergo extensive improve- 
ment in all departments, and when the season opens in the F^all it 
will rank among the best hostelries of the South. 

THE OCALA BUILDINC; AND LOAN ASSOCIATION. 

In reviewing the enterprises which have been instrumental in 
the material growth and development of the " Phosphate City," 
due mention should be made of the Ocala Building and Loan As- 
sociation. This estimable organization was formed in December, 
1886, and its subsequent career has been one of phenomenal sue- 



TSUSINESS INTKRKSTS. I05 

cess. 'I'lie business of the x-Kssociation is conductetl upon a plan 
which experience has proven to \)v the wisest and best, and, 
althougli less than five years estal)lished, it is to-(la\' one of the 
soundest and most prosperous institutions of the kind in the coun- 
try, havini;- a full membership with no stock for sale. The Asso- 
ciation has been and is still an impoilant factor in the progress of 
the town. It has erected upwards of fifty of the finest houses in 
the town, and has stimulated buiUling of a desirable class. 
Through its inlluence, habits of thrift and the desire to become 
home-owners have been encouraged and fostered, and in many 
other ways its value to the town has been thoroughly demon- 
strated. 

The Association is officered as follows, viz. : 

President — A. Mclntyre. 

Vice-President — 1). A. Miller. 

Secretary and 'J'reasurer — P. Fox. 

Solicitor — John CI. Reardon. 

Directors — M. Fishel, J. 15rown, A. Mclntyre, L Stearns, S. 
D. Zacharias, G. A. Nash, H. P. Anderson. 

All are gentlemen of the highest standing in mercantile, bank- 
ing and professional circles, and the signal success of the Associa- 
tion is an honor to their well-directed and enterprising administra- 
tion of its affairs. 

L. J. HAISLEV i CO., 
INVESTMENT AND REAL ESTATE BROKERS. 

The judicious and spirited handling of its real estate has been 
and continues to be one of the most important factors in the ma- 
terial growth and development of Ocala. Pi this connection, as 
a prominent and popular representative of the business suggested, 
is mentioned the gentleman whose name appears in the caption of 
this sketch. 

Mr. Pouis J. Haisley has been engaged in business in Ocala for 
the past eight years, as a general investment and real estate broker, 
and in the interval has reared an enterprise and estal:)lished a 
reputation second to none in his field of commercial activity. 
Mr. Haisley does business under the firm title of P. J. Haisley & 
Co., and occupies commodious, finely appointed, and handsomely 



io6 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



furnished offices in the Merchants' National Bank building — one 
of the most desirable business sites in town. The business is 
verv comprehensive, embracing the purchase, sale and exchange of 
phosphate, grove and timber lands, handling and improvement 
of city and suburban tracts and subdivisions, platting, mapping, 
etc., and investment of funds. Mr. Haisley has been instrumen- 
tal in developing what to-day are among the most valuable prop- 
erties in and about Ocala, and no real estate man in Florida can 
offer more or better opportunities for safe and profitable invest- 




I,. J. UAISl.KV. 



ments in the richest mineral, grove and timber lands, or city sub- 
divisions and suburban tracts. Features in the latter connection 
are the "Agnew " and "Dunn" divisions, most advantageous sites 
for homes or industrial occupation — of which full particulars can 
be obtained by writing to or calling at the office. He is also 
agent for West End, Ocala. (See map, etc.) 

Mr. Haisley has all requisite facilities for mapping of lands, 
which is a special feature of the extensive general business. He 
furnished maps for the leading phosphate companies, besides many 
prominent individual owners of Florida lands, and with his large 
and experienced force of surveyors, draughtsmen and other assist- 



P.USINESS INTERESTS. I07 

ants, is enabled to furnish pr(_)mi)t!y and aceuratel)' full descriptive 
maps of townships, with mineral deposits clearly located and 
designated. 

Mr. Haisley makes a specialty of investments and sustains an 
eminent reputation for careful consideration of the best interests 
of his patrons and wholly satisfactory execution of all commis- 
sions in this line. .A.n instance of the high repute and wide celeb- 
rity of Mr. Haisley, as an astute and reliable investment broker, 
was supplied upon the occasion of the recent bidding for the 
I'ampa Court House bonds, when he was commissioned by wire 
to bid for and generally represent a prominent Cleveland (Ohio) 
banking firm, with which he had no previous acquaintance, in a 
transaction involving many thousands of dollars. Mr. Haisley 
numbers among his numerous clientele many of the leading capi- 
talists and most conservative investors of the North and West, in- 
cluding Messrs. W. J- Hayes & Sons, prominent Cleveland bank- 
ers; Capt. Thomas Wilson, the well-known steamboat man and a 
wealthy capitalist of Cleveland, C). ; Elton Hoyt, Esq., of the 
Standard Oil Co. ; H. H. Little, a prominent Cleveland capitalist, 
and others. 

Mr. Haisley was born in Jacksonville, 111., and at the early 
age of 12 years started out to make his ow-n way in the world. 
He began his career as a clerk, and soon won the confidence and 
esteem of his employer. But this style of life was ill-suited to his 
ambition and enterprise, and it was only when the great W'estern 
boom in real estate occurred that he found the proper field for his 
talents. With other gifted real estate men he went West, and 
later took an active and important part in the rapid development 
of Black Hills, Leadville, and other phenomenal town growths 
throughout that region. In the early part of 1883 he came to 
Ocala, and so favorably impressed was he with the city and its 
propects that he concluded to make it his permanent residence. 
He at once and naturally engaged in the real estate business, for 
which his abilities and wMde experience had admirably qualified 
him. Beginning in a moderate way, in accordance with a small 
capital and little or no acquaintance in the community, he set 
himself sturdily to work with the determination to go to the front. 
That he has done so, and by his owm indefatigable efforts, is a 
conceded fact, as he to-day ranks with the representative, most 



Io8 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

successful and highly respected business men in his line in the 
Floral State. 

[See Haisley's "Bulletin."] 

RICHMOND & BATTY, 
KEAL ESTATE BROKERS. 

A representative and popular Ocala firm of real estate brokers 
is that of Messrs. Richmond & Batty, whose firm offices are eligibly 
located in the Union Block. This well-known firm has been es- 
tablished since August, 1889, and in the interval has built up an 
extensive and continually increasing business. 

Messrs. Richmond & Batty do a general real estate brokerage 
business, buying and selling, also handling on commission, phos- 
phate and timber lands, and town and suburban properties. They 
also make abstracts, locate town sites, inspect, survey, plat and 
map large tracks of land, and generally represent non-resident 
owners, whose interests are carefully looked after. 

Messrs. Richmond & Batty have now for some time made a 
specialty of phosphate lands, and they to-day own or control some 
of the richest tracts in the State. Upon their books are to be 
found opportunities for safe and profitable investments in this 
connection, also in orange groves, farm lands, etc., full particu- 
lars of which will be supplied upon application, personally or by 
letter, to the office. The firm has won an enviable popularity by 
their prompt and satisfactory execution of all commissions in their 
line, as their large, liberal and widely extended patronage attests. 
The wide popularity of the firm is due in no small degree to the 
courteous attention which they devote to strangers. They are al- 
ways ready to take visitors for a drive about the country, pointing 
out and explaining cu route., in an interesting and instructive man- 
ner, points of interest, scenic, climatic, home and business advan- 
tages, etc., not, as is usually the case, for the sole purpose of effecting 
sales, but rather that their guests may "see with their own eyes," 
and obtain a correct idea of the city and its environment. "In 
other words," said Mr. Richmond, "we want a man to have a 
thorough look around first, and then if he chooses to invest, he 
will have had every opportunity to judge of the present and pros- 
pective value of his purchase." 

Mr. S. H. Richmond is a native of Taunton, Mass., and an 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. IO9 

aluinmis of the Massachusetts Ag-ricultural Collei^'e, from which 
he graduated in the class of '71, with the degree of JJ. S. Adoi)t- 
ing the profession of Civil Engineer and Surveyor, he soon won 
an enviable reputation for superior work. In 1881 he came to 
Florida, and subsequently surveyed or inspected most of the land 
from the St. Johns river to the gulf coast, obtaining a thorough 
knowledge of the woods, soil, geological character, etc., of this 
region. Later he did much and admirable work in his line in 
Marion County, including all the surveying for the (Jcala Com- 
pany, besides locating several town sites. In 1888 Mr. Richmond 
opened an office in Ocala, and in the year following formed the 
present co-partnership. Mr. Richmond was Deputy County Clerk 
for six years, under General Bullock, has long held the position 
of Deputy County Surveyor, and is a Notary Public of the State 
of Florida. He has made a study of Florida phosphates, fossils, 
geological formations, etc., and has one of the most complete 
cabinets of designated specimens in this connection to be found in 
the country. 

Mr. Geo. R. Batty is a native of Illinois, but, like his co- 
partner, has been for sometime located in the " Land of Flowers." 
He formerly had charge of the abstract books of Marion County, 
and is an expert in all pertaining to searching titles, making 
abstracts, etc. Mr. Batty is also a Notary Public for the entire 
State. 

Messrs. Richmond & Batty, in addition to their other interests, 
have charge of the Ocala Bureau of Information of the South 
Publishing Co., and, by their well-directed and popular manage- 
ment, have greatly furthered the interests of that concern in 
this vicinity. 

S. W. TEAGUE & CO., 
REAL ESTATE DEALERS. 

No interest of the Phosphate City has been more directly iden- 
tified with her material progress than that represented by the 
judicious handling of her real estate. In this connection, as a 
representative city firm, is mentioned that of Messrs. S. W. 
Teague & Co., general dealers in real estate, whose fine offices 
are located in the Marion Opera House Block. The Messrs. 
Teague are owners of much valuable real estate in and about 



no OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Ocala, besides a large acreage distributed over eight counties and 
including some of the finest farming, fruit, orange, timber and 
phosphate lands to be found in the State. They offer most favor- 
able terms to purchasers upon all the property mentioned, and all 
in quest of safe and profitable investments in first-class Florida 
lands will find it greatly to their advantage to correspond with the 
firm, and secure maps, plans, etc., etc. The firm does an exten- 
sive and voluminous general business, and counts among its many 
patrons, leading capitalists, farmers, fruit growers and other in- 
vestors, to all of whom they have given eminent satisfaction in 
their dealings. 

Messrs. S. W. and F. A. Teague, composing the firm, are 
numbered among the representative business men and citizens of 
Florida. (See portraits, sketches, etc.) 




Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 

L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



No. 20. — Natural wild grove of about 5 or 7 acres, all of trees budded, about 300 

trees bearing. 
(I.) This is all choice hummock land between two lakes and one-quarter mile 

from depot. Price §6.300. 
(2.) An old-time Florida residence, surrounded by orange trees, and variety of 

fruit trees, and 15 varieties of grapes. High, dr)- pine land, in view 

of beautiful lakes abundantly supplied with fish. Price, $2,000. 
(3.) House and Lot 2, Block 15 in Orange Home. The lot has a few bearing 

orange trees and other small fruits. Price, $[,000. 

A~07l' is the time to seleet your tot, while priees are loithin voiir reach. 

No. 21. — (i.) Soo acres hummock and mixed land southwest of Ocala; about 300 
acres have been cleared. Price, $12,000. 
(2.) One-half interest in 46-acre orange grove, three miles from Brooksville; 
also 400 acres of hummock land. Most all of this grove is bear- 
ing. Price, $20,000. 

No. 22 — Five-acre orange grove, 412 orange and 100 lemon trees over seven years 
old, considerable fruit on trees, one and one-half miles from station on 
F. S. R. R., one-half mile from church and school, one-quarter from 
store and postoftice. This is a desirable piece of property, and in 
splendid neighborhood. Price, $2,500. 

No. 23. — About S acres of land, 2 acres cleared and fenced, \^.. acres under culti- 
vation, 54 4-year old orange trees, Parson Brown variety. House 
14 X 26. Price, $600. 

Oiir Home Capital is at pi-eseiit iii7'esteil in phosphate laihls 7ohich i^ive a good 
opportunity for ne7o earners to obtain property at a very loio price. 

No. 25. — Ten acres of land, 3^, cleared and set to orange trees; 200 trees over 
eight years old, all budded on sour stocks and of standard varieties. 
All pine land, one and one-half miles from station on F. C. & P. R. 
R., one-half from school and church, one-quarter from store and 
postoffice. Price, $2,500. 

No. 26. — In Dunn's Highland Park addition, 2 acres of land, house of eight 
rooms, well, cistern, stable, carriage house and wagon shed. 130 bear- 
ing orange trees, eight years old, have from 3 to 5 bo.xes of oranges 
each this season. Tangerines, Kelsey Japan plums, grapes, peaches 
and lemons; city water connections. Price, $6,000. An elegant 
home and verv leasonable. 



Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



No. 27. — 15S acres cleared and under cultivation. 106 2-3 acres woodland. Pine, 
oak and hickory, land rolling, water good, healthy location, eight miles 
west of Gainsville, Fla. , county seat of Alachua county. Price, $10 
per acre. 

No. 28. — 20 acres high rolling first-class hummock orange grove, containing 2,000 
budded and seedling trees ten years old. Crop of 1SS9 netted clear of 
all expenses, $5,076.91. The crop of 1S91 will be 3,000 or 4,000 boxes. 
Dwelling, two stories, good cistern and all convenient out-buildings. 
Price, $2,000 per acre for one-half or entire property. 

No. 2g. — 10 acres, has 400 orange trees, three to six years old, and will bear next 
year. 250 choice peach trees bearing, 200 choice Kelsey Japan plums 
and 100 Satsuma Blood oranges will bear next year, 30 grape vines, 
lemon and tangerine trees; one mile from city limits of Ocala on Fort 
King avenue, first-class high rolling hummock land. Price, $1,500. 

No. 31. — 46 acres of land, all fenced, 20 acres under cultivation, log house of 
two rooms, log barn and stable, forage house and smoke-house, two 
wells with stone curbing, i acre of orange trees, nine to twelve years 
old, hummock, and mixed oak, hickory and pine. Will sell with crops. 
Price, $100 per acre. 

No- 31. — In town of Anthony on F. C. & P. R. K. Store house, 2ox 54 feet, 
ceiled, two stories, three rooms above, lot 30 x 120 feet. Residence of 
four rooms, lathed and plastered, with good kitchen detached, good 
well, lot 60x120, fenced, 3 bearing orange trees, and eight young 
trees, 2 peach trees. Will sell for $1,200; $600 cash, $600 one year at 
10 per cent., or $1,600 on 7 years' time; $200 cash, balance, $200 every 
year without interest. Will rent for $244 per year. 

No. 33. — 20 acres three miles east of Anthony. Hummock land on north side of 
Indian on Forbes Lake, about 3 acres in lake; all cleared and fenced, 
60 orange trees, about 30 acres of lake adjoining and 80 feet deep. 
Price, $560 cash. 

No. 34. — 115 acres rich hummock land, 14 acres in orange grove of two and three 
year old buds, four miles from Citra Station on F. C. & P. R. R. 
. Price, $7,000, or one-half interest for $4,000. 

No. 35. — Ten-acre orange grove, one-third bearing, balance begirning to bear, 60 
pear trees coming into bearing, 150 bearing peach trees. Two-story 
house, six rooms, lathed and plastered, good barn and carriage house, 
large packing house, good-sized store-room well located for business, 
good cistern and well. Located near center of Citra and in a good 
place for business. Price, $10,000. 




INSURANCE. 




1). W. DAVIS, 
GENERAL INSURAN'CE AGENT. 

HE insurance business in Ocala is most ably and 
popularly represented by Mr. D. W. Davis, whose 
fine oifices are eligibly located in the Opera House 
Block. Mr. Davis represents the following well- 
known standard companies, in which he is pre- 
pared to place risks upon the most liberal terms 
and at the lowest rates compatible with safe and reliable assurance : 
.-Etna of Hartford. 
Commercial-Union of London. 
Phoenix Assurance Co. of London. 
German-American of New York. 
Niagara of New York. 
Phoenix of Hartford. 
American of Philadelphia. 
Security of New Haven. 
Providence-Washmgton of Providence. 
Merchants' of Newark. 
Pennsylvania of Philadelphia. 
Sun of New Orleans. 
Manhattan Life of New York. 
Travelers' Life and Accident of Hartford. 

P)V prompt and satisfactory adjustment of losses sustained 
upon his risks and generally fair and equitable business methods, 
Mr. Davis has won an enviable popularity among business men, 
property holders, capitalists and others, and secured a large and 
liberal clientele, composed of the best city and county custom. 
Mr. Davis is a native of Louisville, Ky. He came to Ocala in 
1885, and in 1887 engaged in the business with which he has since 
been both prominently and prosperously identified. 



112 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

Upon the organization of the Dunnellon Phosphate Co., Mr. 
Davis became its Assistant Secretary, which office he filled until 
February, 1891, when he was obliged to resign in order to give 
proper attention to his now extensive insurance business. The 
following resolution by the Dunnellon Co. evidences the esteem in 
which he was held by its officers, viz. : 

Ki'soh'id, That the Secretary of the Dunnellon Phosphate Company shall 
communicate to Mr. D. W. Davis their high appreciation of his services as As- 
sistant Secretarv, and his devotion to the duties assi.ijned him after the period of 




RESIDENCE OF F). W. DAVIS. 



his desired withdrawal, and they also desire to thank him most cordially for the 
uniform courtesy and readiness with whicti he has met all demands upon him and 
for the accuracv of the accounts kept by him. And they further authorize the 
President to present him with a suitable testimonial of our appreciation and re- 
gard. 

In addition to his insurance interests, Mr. Davis is agent for 
much valuable city and suburban property, including the Marion 
Opera House Block, and he is popularly numbered among Ocala's 
most progressive and energetic young business men. Mr. Davis 
owns and occupies one of the finest city homes. 



PROFESSIONAL 




SERGE MALYVAN. 

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, KAOLIN AND I'HIISPHATE LANDS. 

HE disco vei'Y and subsecjuent development of phos- 
phate in Florida has given rise to a large and 
profitable business in analyzing the various de- 
posits. A leading and eminently popular exponent 
of this pursuit in Ocala is the gentleman whose 
name appears in the caption of this sketch. 
Serge Malyvan is a native of Nice, France, and a graduate of 
the Marseilles and Bordeaux Colleges, from which he received the 
degrees of B. L. and B. S. Mr. Malyvan also perfected himself 
in chemistry, surveying, mapping, etc., etc., and is an expert at 
this work. In 1SS7 Mr. Malyvan came to Florida, where he soon 
found desirable employment for his talents as " Manager of chem- 
ical work " for the Florida Produce Manufacturing Company, 
located at Leesburg. He continued with this concern for a year 
and a half, during which period he won a first premium and 
diploma at the International and Semi-Tropical Exposition of 
1SS9-1S90 at Ocala, for " Finest display of native wines, perfumes 
and chemical work." Subsequently, at the special request of 
Gov. Fleming of Florida, ]Mr. Malyvan sent a similar exhibit to 
the Paris Exposition, which was appropriately honored and excited 
general wonder and admiration. 

Upon the discovery of phosphate Mr. Malyvan came to this 
citv, and, opening his present ofifice, soon found himself in receipt 
of an extensive and lucrative business, as an analytical chemist, 
surveyor, draughtsman, prospector, etc. As an indication of his 
business aggregate — from January, 1889, to March, 1S91, he had 
made 946 analyses, besides prospecting and mapping some of the 
most valuable mineral lands in Florida. Mr. Malyvan counts 
among his most appreciative patrons the leading phosphate and 



114 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

kaolin men — also land owners generally — of the clay. He has 
done a great amount of prospecting, particularly in Brooks and 
Baker counties, and has done much to bring forward the mineral 
resources of the country. 

One of Mr. Malyvan's most important achievements was the 
discovery and development of Florida "kaolin" or "china clay." 
He can be pertinently termed the "pioneer" in this industry, as 
also its leading promoter, as it was by his efforts as a promoter 
that is chiefly due the establishment of the factory near Leesburg 
for the manufacture of tiles, ewers, dishes and other articles from 
Florida kaolin. 

Mr. Malyvan has one of the best-equipped laboratories in the 
South, and is prepared to execute promptly and in the best man- 
ner all commissions for chemical analysis, surveying, prospecting, 
mapping, etc. He has received many flattering offers to attach 
himseif to large phosphate companies as chemist or chemical 
director, none of which as yet he has found it to his interest to 
accept. He is respected by all and popularly regarded as one of 
Florida's most skilful and reliable representatives of his combined 
professions. 

D. D. ROGERS. 

A leading civil, mining and consulting engineer in this city is 
Mr. D. D. Rogers, whose offices are located in the Opera House 
Block. Mr. Rogers is a native of Plainfield. N. J., where for a 
number of years he held the responsible office of City Engineer. 
He came to Florida in 1874 and for the past 17 years has been en- 
gaged in mining, railroad, canal and town engineering, building 
up in the meantime an eminent reputation in his profession. 

Mr. Rogers was for some years in the employ of the Govern- 
ment in coast surveying, ship canal and other land work. Later 
he did much and valuable surveying, platting, etc., in Valusia 
County in the laying out and locating of towns. He also organ- 
ized the company and located most of the route of the " Atlantic, 
Gulf & Havana Railroad, now under construction. Upon the 
discovery of phosphate, Mr. Rogers came to Ocala and became 
the pioneer engineer in this field. Mr. Rogers has in his employ 
a well-drilled and experienced corps of assistants and posses.ses un- 
rivalled facilities for the prompt and satisfactory execution of all 



I'.USINESS INTERESTS. 



115 



work in Iiis line, a specialty bein^- made of pr()s]:)ecting and mining 
of phosi)hates and transportation therefor. 

Mr. Rogers is the inventor and patentee (January 21st, 1890) 
of a leveling, grading and ditching instrument, which has been 
pronounced by the best judges to be the simplest, most accurate 
and reliable appliance for the purpose yet invented. This instru- 
ment (see cut) is to be used in combination with graduated rods 
and targets, and will be found of unrivalled utilitv for farmers and 




ROGERS LEVELIXC, GRADING AND DITCHING TARGETS. 



contractors. The idea of such an instrument was suggested to 
jNIr. Rogers by the difficulty of keeping " to grade " with ignorant 
laborers. The new method simpHfies the old principle of grade 
leveling and makes it intelligible and practicable to the most 
ignorant laborer. Sighting through the leveling instrument, the 
targets can be rapidly set, also the slope stakes, and there is 
henceforth no trouble in keeping accurately to grade. By the new 
" Rogers" method a boy can do as accurately and much quicker 
the work formerly requiring a regular engineer. A detailed de- 



ii6 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



scription of this new instrument and its mode of operation, with 
illustrations, etc., will be forwarded upon application to Mr. 
Rogers. 

OTTO GROTHE, PH. D. , 
CHEMIST. 

Dr. Grothe was born in Germany and educated at Kiel Univer- 
sity, from which he was graduated with the degree of Ph. D. in 




iSSo. He has been a practical chemist since 1S75, in Germany 
and this country. He came to Ocala in 1890, soon after the dis- 
covery of phosphate, and has since been prominently identified 
with the industry in his professional capacity. 

Dr. Grothe has what is probably the best equipped and most 
complete laboratory in this part of the country. It is supplied 
with the newest and best appliances, including special apparatus 
for sampling, etc., operated by steam power. 

Dr. Grothe up to date has made upwards of 1,000 quantitative 
phosphate analyses. His services are in continuous demand as an 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. II7 

analytical chemist and technical adviser for most of the large com- 
panies, and he is numbered among the foremost exponents of his 
profession in the phosphate region. 

\1C1'()R LA FOSSE, M. I). 

The medical, like all other professions, is ably represented in 
Ocala. A noted specialist to be mentioned in this connection is 
Dr. La Fosse, whose fine apartments are conveniently located in 
the First National Bank Building. 

])r. Victor La Fosse was born in Belgium twenty-eight years 
ago. He was educated professionally at the Brussels Medical 
Institute, graduating with the degree of M. D. Subsequently for 
four years he was assistant to Dr. Delstanche, a leading exponent 
of the Belgian School of Medicine. Dr. La Fosse also spent some 
time in the Laboratory of Dr. Pasteur of Paris, where he ac- 
quired a valuable knowledge of PJacteriology, and was also for six 
months with Dr. Charcot, the noted expert on nervous diseases. 
His courses of study under Dr. Politzer and Dr. Fuchs, the 
former a leading ear specialist and the latter ec]ually famous as an 
eye specialist, familiarized him with these important branches of 
his profession, and taking into consideration his long service as 
"Literne" of the Brussels hospitals, and post-graduate course in 
the Paris and A^ienna Listitute, it is safe to say that few physicians 
are better prepared for successful practice. Dr. La Fosse has 
been in Ocala since March last, and has already won an enviable 
professional reputation. He has an elegant suite of offices, and 
his professional instruments are among the finest in America, hav- 
ing been made by European prize winners at the Paris Exposition 
of 1889. Dr. La Fosse is an adept in the application of the cele- 
brated "Koch Lymph," and gives special attention to the treat- 
ment of the eye and ear, all nervous diseases, etc. He is a mem- 
ber of the " French Society of Ophtalmology, " and has fulfilled 
all requirements of the Medical Board requisite for becoming a 
practitioner in Florida. Dr. La Fosse has a desirable and in- 
creasing practice and enjoys the highest esteem in medical circles. 

JAMES CHACE, DENTIST. 

Dentistry, like most other branches of professional industry, 
is ably represented in the "Brick City," and, in this connection. 



Il8 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

as a leading and deservedly popular exponent of the art, is men- 
tioned Dr. James Chace, whose fine dental offices are centrally 
located on the second floor of the First National Bank building. 

Dr. Chace is a native of Florida, and one of her most skilful 
and best-known dentists. He has been in continuous and success- 
ful practice for a period of twenty-two years, with locations in the 
interval at Cedar Keys, Key West, in the Bahamas and this city. 
He came to Ocala two years ago, and, by superior work, has added 
materially to an already eminent professional reputation. Dr. 
Chace occupies commodious and sumptuously fitted-up offices, 
thoroughly equipped with the latest dental appliances, and the best 
methods are employed. Everything pertaining to modern scien- 
tific dentistry is executed in the highest degree of artistic and 
mechanical perfection, a speciality being made of "crown" and 
"bridge" work, and the general popularity of the doctor is 
shown by the large and liberal practice which he receives — not 
only from the city, but from all about the county. 

Dr. Chace was the founder, and is still a prominent member, 
of the State Dental Association, also a member of the Dental Ex- 
amining Board, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all circles 
in the communitv with which he has wisely cast his lot. 




Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO.. 



OCAT.A, FL()R1I>A. 



No. 36.— A good town site, situated on the F. C. .V 1'. K. R., consisting of post- 
office, tliree stores, saw-mill and dwelling-houses for ten inhabitants, 
one of the most successful shipping stations in the county. There 
are 20 acres of this town site unsold; will take for the whole $2,500; 
or, if the right party will take hold with owner, will take $1,000 cash 
for half interest. This is (we consider), a great bargain. 

Phosphate lands bought and sold or inspected and pitted and reported for non- 
residents. 

Ko. 37.— 2}.2 acres in Lot i. Block i, with dwelling, four rooms, good cistern, 
storehouse 20 x 60, well of water at store. Eight miles south of Ocala 
and a good point for business on F. C. >.\: P. K. R. Orange grove of 
65 six-year-old trees, will bear next year. Price, §2,000. 

]S-o. 38.— House and lot, lo-acre orange grove, 600 trees (300 sweet oranges and 
300 tangerines), city water supply, good cistern, twelve-room two-story 
cottage, splendidly finished. Just out of city limits. Price, $16,000. 

No. 40.— 95 acres mixed land, one mile from Martin Station. This is Ai farming 
land. Price, $7 per acre. 

jso. 41.— So acres rich hummock, two miles from Flemington. This is good land 
and very cheap. Price, $8 per acre. 

]S;o. 42.— Tract of 260 acres hummock land, six miles southwest of Ocala; So acres 
improved. This is very rich land and a bargain. Price, $10 per acre. 

><o 43.— Orange grove of 12 acres, two and a half miles from city of Ocala, on 
Lemon avenue. Rich virgin hummock, 1,025 sweet orange trees. 
Price, §6,500. 

We are agents for the Associated Kaikoay Land Department of Florida, con- 
trolling al'oiit J, 000, 000 acres. 

No, 44.— Hummock orange grove of 10 acres on Hyde Park avenue. 1,000 grove 
trees nearly all budded, 6,000 nursery trees (sweet seedlings) with 
about 1,000 choice budded tangerines and sweet oranges. One mile 
from city of Ocala. Price, §5,000. 

No. 45. — lo-acre hummock orange grove on Orange avenue, 300 bearing trees and 
400 budded, two miles from city of Ocala. Price, §5,000. 



Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 

OCALA, FLORIDA. 



No. 47. — II acres of land, 10 acres well fenced and in cultivation, iSo orange 
trees, five-year-old buds on sour stocks, trees beginning to bear, 20 
trees of other citrus varieties, and a variety of peach, pear, plum, per- 
simmons and scuppernong grapes, etc. Frame dwelling, four large 
rooms, dining and cook room and out-buildings. Steamboat landing 
on adjoining property, and half a mile from Silver Spring Run, one 
and a half miles from school, church and post-office, with daily mail. 
Price, S2,ooo. Terms, $1,000 cash, balance secured by mortgage at 
xo per cent, in four annual payments of $250 each, or to suit purchaser. 

No. 48. — 40 acres of land, all hummock; 15 acres cleared, fenced and in cultiva- 
tion, 10 acres set in orange trees. Small house with cistern. One acre 
in sugar cane. All hummock land heavily timbered. This is a very 
cheap and desirable piece of property. Price, $3,000. 

No. 40. — Tract of 115 acres pine land, of which about 20 are cleared and fenced, 
and has 25 bearing orange trees, 40 or 50 in all, of which 16 are twenty 
years old, i large fig tree and bananas. This property is three-quarters 
of a mile from shipping station and two miles from Summerfield and 
Oxford. I'rice, $1,500. 

No. 51. — 20 acres of land, sixteen miles south of Ocala and a quarter of a mile 
from railroad and post-office. 12 acres cleared and under fence. New 
three-room house and about 40 orange trees, some bearing, balance be- 
ginning to bear. Grape arbor, fig, peach and 800 nursery trees. Price, 
$600. 

JJ'c- arc- f!07C' draftiit;^ the most corrcit and lOiitplctc maps of the lity of Ocahx, 
7ohiih loill Ih' ^ii'cn to the pitblie for actual cost. 

No. 53. — 40 acres of fine hummock, four and a half miles from Ocala, on Hyde 
Park and Pine Dale avenues. This place is peculiarly adapted for a 
cheerful home. It is one and a quarter miles from a shipping station, S 
acres set in native orange trees, good barn, filled vith products raised 
on the place, splentlid elevated location for a house. Dr. A. Griffiths, 
of Kbensburg, Pa., a prominent physician, has a winter home adjoining 
this property. For good and sufficient reason this place must be sold. 
Price, $3,200. 

No. 54. — One 50-acre tract, 25 acres cleared, balance native hummock, two-room 
house and good barn. On Lemon avenue, four miles south of city. 
Price, $2,000. 



CITY MARKET BUSINESS. 




L. J. PARR, 
DEALER IN MKATS, FRUHS AND VEGRTARLES. 

LEADING and most popular stand in the City Market 
is that of Mr. L. J. Parr, dealer in choice meats, fruits 
and vegetables, at Stalls 5 and 7. Ihe large and well- 
arranged stand is supplied with every convenience for 
handling and displaying the stock, and the facilities are 
augmented by a capacious refrigerator on the op- 
posite side of the market. Col. Parr makes a 
specialty of choice Florida and Western meats, 
h and all fruits and vegetables, the latter being 
secured fresh and crisp from the farms each morning. The trade 
received is drawn from the best city and suburban custom, and 
the general business is both large and prosperous. 

Col. L. T. Parr is a native of Atlanta, Ga. During the war 
he was Colonel of the 38th Georgia regiment, which participated 
in many hard-fought engagements. Subsequently he became a 
contractor and builder, in which vocation he has done much of 
the finest work to be seen in Ocala, including the building of the 
first Ocala House, Montezuma Hotel, Gary Block and other prom- 
inent structures. Suice 1889 he has been engaged in the present 
enterprise and is to-day a leading market merchant. 

"the butter stalls." 

I. W. Hl'NT. PROPRIETOR. 

Stalls 10 and 12 in the City Market are known as "The P.utter 
Stalls." This is one of the largest and finest stands in the market. 
The premises are conveniently arranged, and everything requisite 
is supplied for the advantageous handling and display of stock. 
Here can at all times be found choice creamery and Florida butter, 
the finest cheese, honey, berries, fruit, eggs, leaf lard and table 
delicacies. Fresh water fish and oysters are also handled in 



I20 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

season. These goods in each department are carefully selected to 
meet the reciuirements of the market trade, and there is no more 
popular or better patronized stand in the market. 

Mr. Hunt is a native of Indiana, and has been in Ocala since 
1 885. He began in the butter and cheese business in 18S7, and 
has to-day a leading local business in this line. 

W. M. LUCIUS, 
DEALER IX FLORIDA AND WESTERN MEATS. 

One of the best-known and most popular establishments in the 
market is that of Mr. W. M. Lucius, dealer in meats and produce, 
at Stalls 2 and 4. The commodious stalls are fitted up in the style 
best adapted to this line of business, and every convenience is at 
hand for the storage and display of stock. Mr. Lucius carries a 
full line of choice Florida and Western meats, including prime 
beef, pork, mutton, veal and venison, together with a complete 
line of country produce w4iich is received daily fresh and crisp 
from the best producing districts. Mr. Lucius and his three 
assistants are kept busy in filling the orders of his many desirable 
patrons, and his business is both large and increasing. 

Mr. Lucius is a native of Florida, and fully understands the 
business with which he is now so prominently identified. He 
succeeded in December, 1890, to an old business which, under his 
well-directed and popular management, has since been materially 
increased. 

W. J, EDWARDS, 

DEALER IN MEATS, FISH, I'dlLTRV, GAME, AND VEGETABLES. 

Mr. Edwards has one of the best-appointed stands in the 
market, and carries a well-selected and complete stock of choice 
Western and Florida meats, fish, game and poultry of all kinds, 
and everything in the vegetable line. He does a fine business, 
with a patronage composed of the best city custom, and is one of 
the most popular market men. 

This stand is one of the oldest in the market. In 18S2 Mr. A. 
J. Edwards bought out the business, and later took into co-part- 
nership his son, Mr. W. j. Edwards. In June, 1S91, the latter 
succeeded to the sole proprietorship. 

Mr. Edwards is a young man, popular alike with market 
patrons and his fellow merchants. 



Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



;fjo_ 55.— One lo-acre tract oak, pine and hickory land, cleared and under fence. 
Two-story dwelling of six rooms and kitchen, good cistern, barn and 
out-buildings, with five head of stock and 75 orange trees, some bear- 
ing; I acre in peanuts and honey peaches and other fruits; near Orange 
lake in good neighborhood, schools, churches, etc. Price, $1,320. 

A^To_ 56.— 123 acres first-class hummock, 13 acres in orange and lemon grove, good 
frame house, two wells of good water, i acre of nursery stock. On 
Homosassa river, three miles from Homosassa Inn and two miles from 
gulf. Price, Sio,ooo. 

No. 57.— 40 acres first-class pine and oak land, adapted for vegetables and orange 
culture; 200 orange trees, some bearing, under fence and small house. 
Beautifully located, amid clear water lakes in Lake County, five miles 
from Umatilla. Price, $1,000. 

Islo. 58.— Fine Florida home, 160 acres fine farm and orange land, cleared, fenced 
and under cultivation. Fine dwelling, all out-buildings, good water, 
orange and other fruit trees; one and three-quarters miles from Santos. 
Price, $6,500. 

No. 59.— So acres first-class pine land, south side of Lake Weir; 25 acres cleared, 
with lake front. Cleared and platted in building lots, cottage sites, etc. ; 
convenient to churches, schools, etc. Boat landing close by. Price, 
$40 to |ioo per acre. 
Also, 10 acres good pine (not cleared) land in adjoining section. Price, $10 per 
acre. 

No. 60.— This is a bargain that will be on the market but a short time. 77 acres 
of land cleared and under cultivation, 2,944 orange trees. 800 trees— 
40 fifteen years old; 760 nine years old. 500 trees— four-year-old seed- 
lings and a few budded trees. 500 trees— one-third, si.x years old, bal- 
ance four-year-old. 1,144 trees— all two-year-old buds. Can raise on 
place all the forage necessary for horses and cattle. The yield next 
year will be about 2,500 boxes. Good house, cistern, well, horse 
stables and wagon sheds, with loft. Healthy location. Three-fourths 
of a mile from Oxford, on F. C. & P. R. R. Price, $30,000. 
No. 61. —Two lots, box 100 feet, with four-room cottage on each, near Ocala 

High School. Price, $300 each. 
No. 62.— Two lots, 52x106, in Caldwell's addition to Ocala. House of seven 
rooms on one. Price: House and lot, $1,500; vacant lot, S350. 



Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 

L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



No. 63. — 105 acres richest hummock land, three miles from Citra; 14 or 15 acres 
in grove solid stand, with 300 to 400 trees between; mostly budded 
trees beginning to bear. Price, $8,500; one-half interest, $4,500. 
Also, 10 acres in bearing grove, bore 1,000 bo.xes oranges last year. On Main 
street, Citra, near largest orange grove (Bishop & Harris') in the world. 
Good two-story dwelling, si.x rooms, cistern, stable, out-buildings, etc. 
Buildings nearly new. 200 Kelsey plum, 75 pear, 200 peach, grapes, 
flowers, etc. Impossible to fully describe — a rare bargain; should be 
seen to be appreciated Price, $10,000. 

No. 64. — Three lots, 78x210, Block 21, Caldwell's addition to Ocala. Price, first 
choice, $800; second choice. $750; third choice, $650. Price of three 
lots, $2,000. 

No. 65.— 50 acres, three miles east of Ocala. on Silver Springs road, 40 acres 
under barbed-wire fence; six-room house, barn and out-buildings, cis- 
tern and well ; 20 bearing orange and other fruit trees ; one-half 
mile from F. C. & P. R. R. Desirable for vegetable or dairy farm. 
Price, $3,500. 

No. 66. — 12 acres unimproved pine land, three and a half miles southeast of Ocala. 
Price, $300. 

No. 67.— Lemon grove, 10 acres, bearing, one-half finest varieties. Price, $4,000. 

Also, 9 acres budded orange grove, 11 to 12 years old; excellent two-story house, 

good stable and out-buildings. Both groves on south side of Lake 

Weir; fine water protection, near boat landing, two miles from F. S. 

R. R. station. Price, entire property, $12,000. 

No. 68. — 40 acres cleared hummock and 40 acres enclosed pine land, near Graham- 
ville, on Ocklawaha river. Price, $10 per acre. 

No. 6q. — 35 acres mixed hummock and pine land, 3 acres orange grove (209 trees), 
30 trees bearing, six trees twenty years old; on Diamond Lake, four miles 
east of Grahamville. Price $6 per acre. 

No. 70. — 52 acres mixed land, 35 acres under fence, 1,200 orange, lemon and lime 
trees, 5 years old; two-story frame house; with detached kitchen; near 
Lake Bryant, iS miles from Ocala. Price, $2,200. 

No. 71. — 66 acres and good seven room house, about five miles south of Ocala; 
good tenant house, stable, etc. ; 20 acres young orange trees, 3 acres in 
cabbage. Owner raised last year, 5,000 bushels potatoes. Fine loca- 
tion, good neighborhood. Can be bought for $3,000; very cheap. 

No. 72. — 30 acres first-class hummock, two miles from Grahamville, one-half 
mile from Ocklawaha river. Price, $3 per acre. 



MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 




THE OCALA WATER WORKS. 

HE (Jcala Water Works was completed and put 
in operation in December, 1888, and with the 
subset]uent improvements the city has to-day 
one of tlie finest water systems in the South. 
The pumping station is a substantial brick 
building, constructed especially for the purpose, 
as were also the several auxiliary structures 
upon the spacious and well-ordered premises. A " Worthington " 
pump, of the latest and best type, is used, power for which is 
furnished by two fifty horse-power boilers. The capacity of the 
pump is 1,000,000 gallons per day (24 hours.) The water 
is detained from two six-inch drilled wells of 230 feet depth. 
Each well has a thirty horse-power pump for supplying the reser- 
voir, which is located on the premises and has a capacity of 60,000 
gallons. In addition to the reservoir, there is a "reserve tower" 
of 1 10,000 gallons" capacity, making a total of 170,000 gallons 
in reserve. 

The tower is situated upon the highest point in the city, thus 
securing a great natural pressure, and can be drawn upon at once 
in case of emergency. The water has been subjected to the most 
critical tests, including careful analysis by a prominent chemist, 
all of which have shown it to be remarkably pure, wholesome and 
desirable for all purposes. In addition to the ordinary city sup- 
ply, residences, business houses, industries, etc., the works 
supplies eighty-five double fire hydrants and two drinking foun- 
tains, and the facilities are ample for the demand. The gravity 
pressure of stand pipe is fifty pounds to the square inch, a force 
sufficient to throw a stream perpendicularly sixty-five feet through 
an inch nozzle. With direct pressure 100 pounds to the square inch is 
obtained at the hvdrants, which throws the same stream over the 



122 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

highest steeple. There is now being drilled for the water works 
an artesian well, to be 2,000 feet deep, with a diameter of twelve 
inches at the surface and eight inches at the bottom. This well 
will have, it is estimated, a natural flow of 3,000,000 gallons per 
day of twenty-four hours. 

The Ocala Water Company was established by The Jeter & 
BoARDMAN Gas AND Water Association of Macon, Ga., an 
acknowledged leader in its field in the South. The province of 




this association includes the construction of gas, water and 
electric light and power plants, and its superior work in this con- 
nection is shown in successful plants established in towns 
throughout the South. 

The Ocala Water Company is officered as follows : 

President — A. D. Schofield. 

Treasurer — A. E. Boardman. 

Secretary — R. L. Anderson. 

Superintendent — C. H. Campbell. 

Messrs. Schofield and Boardman are Macon men, and members 
of the Jeter &: Boardman Association, Mr. Schofield being also a 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. I 23 

prominent iron inamifacturcr of tluit city; while Mr. Roardnian is 
an eminent mechanical and hydraulic enj^ineer and an authority 
on gas, water and electric lights. Mr. Anderson is Mayor of 
Ocala and one of her leading lawyers. Mr. Campbell, the super- 
intendent of the works, is a Macon man and a practical plumber 
and water engineer. He came to Florida nine years ago, and has 
been three years in Ocala. Me was active in the organization and 
perfection of the Ocala Fire Department, and is generally popular 
and esteemed in the community. 

OCALA NOVELTY WORKS. 
MALLETT & CO., - TROPRIETORS. 

A representative industrial enterprise of the Phosphate City, is 
that of Messrs. Mallett & Co., proprietors of the " Ocala Novelty 
Works." This business was established in 1888, and from its in- 
ception has had a substantial and rapid growth, indicating a well- 
directed and spirited management. 

The establishment is one of the most complete and finest 
equipped of its kind in the South. The premises comprise a series 
of buildings, erected and arranged especially for the business, 
covering a ground area of one and one-fourth acres. The main 
building is 50x100 feet, with an engine house adjoining, 40x80. 
The kiln, a " Sturtevant Patent," has a capacity of 10,000 feet 
per diem, and the storehouse or dry-shed, 22x100 feet in size, is 
admirably arranged for the accommodation of the finished work 
and seasoned materials. The buildings are all substantial frame 
structures with corrugated iron roofs for protection from fire, and 
all the modern advantages for light and ventilation, and the es- 
tablishment as a whole is a model of thorough equipment and 
systematic and convenient arrangement. The machinery is all of 
the newest improved type, and includes many special machines to 
be found in no other establishment in the State. ^ A forty-five 
horse-power steam engine, driven by a sixty horse-power boiler, 
supplies the motive force, and a competent corps of skilful me- 
chanics is employed in the several branches of the extensive busi- 
ness. 

A feature of the establishment is the office. It is a commo- 
dious apartment, handsomely fitted up in native woods, in designs 
tending to show the superior work of and rich effects obtained by 



124 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



the firm in this field, and is conceded to be the finest mill office in 
this part of the country. 

The Ocala Novelty Works, as the name would suggest, does an 
extensive and diversified business. The output includes plain and 
fancy sawing, planing, scroll work, mouldings, doors, sash, blinds, 
rail balusters, door and window frames, flooring, siding, ceiling 
and all interior woodwork ; also are manufactured cypress tanks, 
small boats, furniture, coffins, packing cases, and all cabinet and 
turned work. A specialty is made of mantels in native woods. 



OCALA NOVELTY 
WORKS. 




XTERIOR VIEW, 



which are turned out in a great variety of exquisite designs, also 
of cypress water tanks, which are made in any size. The manu- 
facture of small boats, both rowing and sail, is an important branch 
of the business. Mr. Mallett, of the firm, is an old sailor and an 
expert in designing as well as the management of small craft. He 
has already built some of the finest skiffs and rowboats to be seen 
on the lakes and streams of this region, and his sailboats are un- 
equaled for speed, safety and comfort. 

Messrs. Mallett ^ Co. have also a large, thoroughly equipped 
sawmill, located on the line of the Florida Southern Railroad^ 



HU SI NESS IN ri: RESTS. I 25 

about live miles from ( )cala, which is an important auxiliary to 
their plant in the city. The work turned out in all departments 
embodies the highest artistic and mechanical perfection, and prob- 
ably no house in the State has done so much to enhance the value 
and win celel)rity for native woods for interior finish and turned 
and carved work. The firm carries a complete stock of building 
materials; also, a full line of house paints. 

With this finely-equipped plant and corj-ts of skilled workmen, 
Messrs. Mallett lV' Co. possess superior facilities for the prompt 
and satisfactory execution of all work in their line. The works 
are located between the lines of the P\ C. t.\: P. and F. S., and at 
the Ocala terminus of the S. S. O. ^.S: (i. railways, sidings from 
W'hich enter the premises, thus affording all requisite transporta- 
tion facilities. The trade extends from Gainsville to I'ampa, in- 
cluding a large city and suburban custom, and most of the finest 
work to be seen in this wide territory bears witness to the superior 
productions of this firm. Among the notable jobs recently exe- 
cuted by this firm may be mentioned the interior finish of the ele- 
gant Winter homes (at Homosassa) of Messrs. S. S. Houghton and 
B. F. Dutton, the noted Boston merchants. 

Mr. y. H. Mallett, the Business Manager of the enterprise, was 
born in North Carolina, but came to Florida in 1875. In early 
life he learned the machinist's trade, but later took to the sea, and 
for several years was captain of vessels plying on the gulf and its 
tributaries. In 1885, he came to Ocala and secured employment 
in the establishment of which he is now a prosperous joint propri- 
etor. 

Mr. J. P. Harder, the Superintendent of the Works, is a native 
of New York State and a pattern maker by trade. He came to 
Ocala in 1887 to set up a mill plant, and in the following year 
joined Mr. Mallett in the establishment of wdiat, under their ener- 
getic and able management, has become a leading local industry. 

Messrs. Mallett ^: Harder are highlv esteemed in all circles, 



Note. — Messrs. Mallett ..K: Co. are agents in this section for the celebrated 
''Averiil" ready-mixed paints, manufactured by Seeley Bros, of New York. These 
paints are put up in gallon cans, ready for use, every gallon warranted, and are 
recognized in all markets as superior to any article heretofore offered in this 
line. 



126 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

and rank among the representative, progressive and deservedly suc- 
cessful business men of Ocala. 

OCALA PLANING MILL. 

JOHN n. TAYLOR, MANAGER. 

One of the prominent manufacturing enterprises of this pro- 
gressive city is that which is made the immediate subject of the 
present sketch. This extensive business was founded in 1886 by 
the late W. T. Taylor, Esq., under whose able and enterprising 
management it grew from a comparatively small start into a repre- 
sentative and prosperous city industry. In March, 1890, Mr. Tay- 
lor died, and Ocala lost one of its ablest business men and most 
valued citizens. But he left a successor in his son, Mr. John H. 
Taylor, who has fully demonstrated his ability to continue the 
business with all its old-time prominence and prosperity. 

The enterprise is most desirably located at the junction of the 
Florida Southern, Florida Central & Peninsular, and Silver Springs, 
Ocala & Gulf railroads, which afford ample transportation facili- 
ties. The mill is a substantial frame structure, constructed espe- 
cially for the purpose, and arranged in the most systematic and 
convenient manner. It is what is known as a " double deck," or 
two-storied mill, with surface dimensions of 60 x 150 feet. The 
machinery and appliances are the newest and best, the motive 
force is supplied by a fifty horse-power steam engine and seventy 
horse-power boiler, and from twenty to forty experienced hands 
are employed in the several departments of the business. Besides 
the mill there is an " Andrus Patent" Kiln, with a capacity of 
13,000 feet per diem, a dry shed 30 x 150 feet and several auxiliary 
buildings, with ample yard space for the accommodation of mate- 
rials, etc. 

The extensive business comprises planing, sawing, the manu- 
facture of sash, doors and all interior woodwork, and the handling 
at wholesale and retail of rough and dressed lumber, flooring, ceil- 
ing, doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, etc. The product of the mill 
is first-class in all respects and commands an extensive and appre- 
ciative trade, reaching all along the lines of the railroads above 
named, and including a large and highly-desirable city and 
suburban patronage. 

Mr. Taylor is a native of North Carolina, where, in his father's 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. I 27 

mill, he early acciuired a comprehensive and thorough knowledt^e 
of the business. In i8<S6 he came to Ocala, and from its incep- 
tion has l)een prominently identified with the line enterprise, of 
which he now has sole charge. Mr. Taylor is a popular hgure in 
all circles, and is generally respected as one of ()cala's represent- 
ative young business men. 

THE OCALA TRANSFER COMPANY. 

The Ocala Transfer Company was incorporated under the laws 
of Florida, March 30, 1S91, with an authorized capital of $10,000 
and the following ot^cers: 

President — J. N. Strobhar. 

Secretary and Treasurer — F. C. Alworth. 

The business of the company comprises a livery, feed and sale 
stable; the purchase and sale of live stock, vehicles, harness, sad- 
dles and horse equipments generally; also, expressage or transfer 
of freight, baggage, etc., in and about the city. The company's 
stables are eligibly located but a short distance from the square, 
with telephone connection with hotels, etc., throughout the city. 
The stable buildings, two in number, are substantial and commo- 
dious structures, containing forty well-appointed stalls, in addition 
to wdiich there are spacious yards, sheds, and, in fact, all the aux- 
iliaries of a first-class metropolitan livery establishment. 

The stable equipage is new throughout, and includes the latest 
and most fashionable types of pleasure vehicles, both single and 
double rig, together with every requisite for light and heavy team- 
ing, trucking, etc. Besides the elegant carriage and draught 
horses used in their business, the company have always on hand a 
full complement of these animals, representing the best bred and 
blooded stock, also a complete line of carriages, buggies, beach- 
wagons, landaus, and other vehicles from the leading manufac- 
turers, and parties contemplating the purchase of teams or saddle 
horses for private use will find it to their interest to inspect the 
stock of this establishment. Besides a general livery, feed and 
sale business, the company makes a specialtv of the care of jirivate 
teams, in which connection, as in all departments, patrons are 
assured of prompt and satisfactory service. 

The transfer business of the company is conducted upon a sys- 
tematic plan, which insures the best results. The equipage of this 



128 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

important branch of the enterprise is first-cIass in all respects, and 
includes all requisite facilities for the safe and satisfactory transfer 
to and from railway stations, etc., of baggage, light and heavy 
goods, besides a passenger service superior to anything in this line 
ever attempted in this section. Special attention is given to sup- 
plying carriages of all kinds for weddings, parties, tourist driving, 
etc. For funerals the company has a hearse of the newest make 
and richest design, which is provided with full sets of all society 
emblems. 

Although but little more than fairly started, the success of the 
enterprise is already firmly established, and the company is soon 
to build new premises and otherwise improve and increase its 
facilities. 

The officers of the company are among Ocala's ablest and most 
progressive business men. Mr. Strobhar is Agent for the Florida 
Southern R. R. , and Mr. Alworth is the popular Ticket Agent for 
the J. T. and K. W. Railway System. 

OCALA LIVERY COMPANY. 
LIVERY, FEED AND SALE STABLES. 

A leading and deservedly popular livery establishment in Ocala 
is that of the Ocala Livery Company, located on Magnolia Street. 
This fine business was originally established some years ago, and 
has always been a popular stand. The Ocala Livery Company 
succeeded to the proprietorship in September, 1890, and under the 
well-directed management of Mr. C. A. Littan, the old-time pros- 
perity of the enterprise has been materially increased. 

The stable building is a substantial two-storied brick, 60 x 140 
feet on the ground, and the general arrangement is systematic and 
convenient. There are forty-two well-equipped stalls, and the 
establishment is thoroughly well lighted and ventilated. Forty 
first-class riding and driving horses are kept, the vehicles, saddles, 
harness, etc., are equally excellent, and everything in the shape 
of a first-class metropolitan livery rig is supplied at short notice. 
The stable has telephone connection with all desirable points 
in the city, and orders by this medium receive prompt at- 
tention. 

Besides a general livery and sale business, saddle, carriage and 
draught horses are purchased and sold, and those requiring any- 



BUSINESS INTKkKSTS. I 29 

thiny; in ihis line will fnul it to their manifest advantatje to consult 
Mr. Littan in the premises. 

Mr. Littan, the courteous and obliging- manager, is a native of 
Florida, and an experienced and capable stableman. He has 
been connected with the present establishment for three 3'ears 
past, and is well known and popular among its many patrons. 

THE LA CRIOELA CKIAK MANUFACTURING Co. 

The extensive business conducted under this heading consti- 
tutes what may well be termed a representative local industry. 
From the start the company has had a phenomenally successful 
career. 'I'he business was commenced in August, 1SS9, with ten 
cigar makers and facilities in proportion. To-day the company 
has one of the best-equipped cigar manufactories in the country, 
employs a large force of Cuban cigar-makers, and produces 30,000 
cigars per diem. 

The factory, constructed for the purpose, is a substantial two- 
story brick structure, 40x110 feet on the ground, with a store- 
house adjoining, two stories, 30x100 feet. The building is high 
between floors, admirably arranged, and its appointment embraces 
the newest and best methods and appliances for the prosecution 
of the business. The premises are lighted by the latest design 
of incandescent electric light. 

The La Criolla Company manufactures only clear Havana, 
Cuban hand-made cigars, manufactured from the best grade of 
Havana tobacco, carefully selected and imported direct by the 
company. These goods already have a standard reputation in 
the general market, and command an extensive and aj^preciative 
trade throughout the country. Strict attention is paid to dealers' 
brands, which are supplied in many unique and attractive designs 
to suit the fancies of the trade. "La Criolla," however, is the 
distinctive title by which the house goods are known, and it is 
generally accepted as a guarantee of the highest attainable excel- 
lence by the trade. 

The officers of the company are: 

President — C. Rheinauer. 

Secretary — Wm. Anderson. 

Treasurer^ — R. B. McConnell. 

All are representative Ocala business men, Mr. Rheinauer being 



BUSINESS INIERESTS. 



131 



a leading merchant, Mr. Anderson a prominent druggist, and Mr. 
McConnell, the cashier of the Merchants' National ilank. 

Mr. Louis Seiber, the Manager, is an e.vpert at the business, 
with which he has been long and i)rominently identified in New 
York and elsewhere. 

OCALA STKAM LAUNDRY CO. 
J. B. STEELE, MAXA(;ER, 

Among her many and important metropolitan advantages, 
Ocala can boast of one of the best equipped and best conducted 
Steam Laundries in the South. The enterprise is eligibly located 
in the Montezuma Block on Fort King avenue, where are occupied 
spacious premises admirably adapted to the business. The estab- 
lishment is a model of systematic and convenient arrangement, 
and the methods and appliances are all the latest and best yet 
devised. There are two washers, besides ironing and other 
machinery, twelve experienced hands are employed, and the mo- 
tive force is supplied by a ten-horse-power engine driven by a 
twenty-five-horse-power boiler. Everything pertaining to modern 
steam laundry work is done in the highest degree of perfection, 
and by a method which secures the best results without injury to 
the most delicate fabrics. The laundry is under the able and ex- 
perienced management of Mr. J. B. Steele, late of New York City, 
who gives careful attention to the details of the business and sees 
that all work is done in a strictly first-class manner. A large and 
most desirable patronage is received from the city and nearby 
custom, and the business has already taken rank among the repre- 
sentative and most successful local enterprises. 




AGUE & CO. S 
; STORE. 




C.H.LORP & CO 



ANTl-MONoroLY _^ _ 

DRUU STORI. .A'-* — -*" "^ . 




MERCANTILE ESTABEISHMEInTS. 




MERCANTILE HOUSE OF E. W. AC.NEW A CO. 

^O industrial review of the " 15rick City" would be 
^^ complete which omitted due mention of the widely 
known representative house which is made the sub- 
ject of the present sketch. The house of K. W. 

^^^S^^- ^g"^"' '-'^' ^^^- '''•'^^ founded many years ago by the 

^- ' ' ^^" ^ father ot the present head of the lirni, and frum 
its inception has constituted an important factor in the business, 
growth and prosperity of the city. The business of this house 
has had a substantial growth from the start, and in the period 
elapsed it has developed from a comparatively moderate beginning 
into a gigantic mercantile enterprise — one, in fact, which will 
compare very favorably with the foremost metropolitan houses of 
the day in its field. 

Mr. E. Walter Agnew, who began as a clerk in the house, was 
admitted to co-partnership in 1S70. In 18S4 Mv. Agnew, Sr.. the 
founder of the house, after a long and eminently successful busi- 
ness career, during which he had attained the proud distinction of 
one of the oldest, ablest and most honored merchants of the Floral 
State, retired from active business, and the proprietorship passed 
into the competent hands of Messrs. E. W. Agnew and H. A. 
Weatheres, under the firm name and style as above. 

Mr. Weatheres had been for years a clerk in the house, and his 
promotion to a co-partnership was a meet tribute to his sterhng 
business capabilities and active enterprise. 

The present store building was first erected in 1883, and en- 
larged to the present size in 1890, at which time, also, the prem- 
ises were remodeled and re-appointed in the most approved modern 
style. The building is an imposing three-storied and basement 
structure of brick, with granite trimmings, with a frontage of 60 



134 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



by a mean depth of 150 feet. It stands at the junction of Mag- 
nolia street and Broadway, and with its ornate double front, with 
mammoth plate glass show windows filled with the richest wares, 
artistically arranged, forms one of the most attractive features of 
"the square." The interior appointment is in accord with the 
best modern ideas of tasteful elegance, and the entire establish- 
ment is a model of systematic and convenient arrangement. The 
business is exceedingly comprehensive, the immense stock embrac- 
ing everything in the line of general merchandise, staple and fancy 
dry goods, millinery and notions, clothing, men's and women's fur- 



-«-Mr«r-<oit-s!nerwt»^«^- 





nishings, hats and caps, boots and shoes, trunks, valises, staple and 
fancy groceries and provisions, carpetings, oil cloths, shelf and 
heavy hardware, house furnishing goods, etc. The goods in all 
departments are carefully selected from the most reputable sources 
of production or supply, and include the highest grades, newest 
and most fashionable styles, and, in short, the most desirable 
wares in the respective lines. In order to meet the demands of 
its widely extended and voluminous general business, the house 
carries an immense stock of goods, filling, in addition to the mam- 
moth store building, several large warehouses conveniently located 
at the railway junction. 




RHEINAUER & BRO. S STORE. 




RHEINAUER & BRO. S STORE — -INTERIOR VIEW. 



lUJSINKSS INTF.RESI'S. 135 

A large force of clerks and travellino; salesmen is employed in 
the transaction of the extensive and prosperous general busmess. 
The house is a favorite purchasing depot for the best retad jxitron- 
age of the city and vicinity, and the wholesale trade covers the 
territory all south and twenty-five miles north of the city. 

Some idea of the magnitude of the general business of this 
house may be gathered from the fact that the annual sales aggre- 
gate upwards of $600,000, or more than any two houses in its 
line in the State. 

C. RHEINAUER ct BRO. , 

DRY GOODS, CLOTHING, SHOES, &.C. 

Ocala, like all great trade centers, has her conspicuously 
representative business houses, houses that through superior 
management have gone to the front and attained popularly 
accorded pre-eminence in their respective lines. No better illus- 
tration pf this could be mentioned than the widely-known "Em- 
porium" of Messrs. C. Rheinauer and Pko. This mammoth 
establishment occupies a most desirable site on the south side of 
the square, and in the center of the popular shopping district. 
The building, familiarly known as the "Rheinauer Block," was 
erected by the firm expressly for their enterprise, and is one of 
the finest business edifices in the State. It is an imposing structure 
of brick, iron and plate glass, of two stories, with the relative 
height of three, and has a frontage of 42 by a mean depth of 115 
feet. The general interior appointment embodies the best modern 
ideas of elegance and convenience combined. Large plate glass 
show windows adorn the front; the fixtures, wainscoting, etc., are 
of native woods in chaste and elgegant designs, and a spacious 
arcade in the center of the building, surmounted by a glass dome 
in the roof, admits an abundance of light, and adds materially to 
the symmetrical beauty of the premises. The first floor is 17, and 
that above 14, feet in the clear, access between being supplied by 
a broad staircase of rich design and an elevator of the most 
modern style. The building is lighted by electricity, and a fine 
system of water works serves as a protection from fire. 

Messrs. Rheinauer & Bro. carry one of the most comprehensive 
and complete stocks in the South. The line of trade embraces 
everything in staple and fancy dry goods, men's and women's furn- 



136 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

ishings, clothing, shoes, carpets, floor coverings, window garniture, 
etc., etc., and numerous other wares pertaining to a first class 
metropolitan establishment of this character. The immense stock 
is systematically arranged in departments, each containing the 
latest novelties, newest and most fashionable styles, and choicest 
home and foreign productions, and a large corps of experienced 
and courteous clerks is in attendance upon the crowds of patrons 
which daily visit the store. The patronage received is drawn 
from the most desirable city and surrounding custom, and 
the annual business of the house is of most prosperous 
aggregate. 

Messrs. C. and M. Rheinauer, composing the firm, have long 
been numbered among the ablest, most progressive and deservedly 
successful merchants of the Phosphate City. They have ever 
been active in the support of the best interests of the common- 
wealth, and their business success and popularity are the natural 
reflex of honorable methods and well-directed and energetic 
management. An instance of the public spirit and liberality of 
the firm was shown on " School Children's Day " at the Expositon, 
in the presentation of prizes aggregating over $50 for competition 
by pupils of the city and county schools. 

Mr. C. Rheinauer is a Director of the Merchants' National 
Bank, President of the La Criolla Cigar Manufacturing Company, 
and Vice-President of the Ocala Iron Foundry and Machine 
Works. 

Mr. M. Rheinauer is an Assistant Chief of the Ocala Fire De- 
partment. 

J. A. ROWELL, 

SHOES AND HATS. 

This fine establishment is located on East Square, facing the 
"Plaza," and in the very heart of the shopping district. The 
large, well-arranged store is fitted up in a style which embodies the 
best modern ideas of elegance and convenience, and the stock 
carried is in full accord with the high-class character of the store. 
Here can at all times be found the latest fashionable styles in 
men's, women's and children's fine footwear, and the stock of 
men's and boys' headwear is equally comprehensive and complete. 
The store is the recognized headquarters for shoes and hats, and 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. I37 

receives a large and liberal patronage from the best town and sur- 
rounding trade. 

Mr. J. A. Rowell, the proprietor, is a native of Mississippi, 
and a gentleman of wide experience in the footwear trade. He 
came to Ocala in 18S4, and in the following year founded the 
business which, under his well-directed management, has 
developed into a representative mercantile enterprise of the 
" Phosphate City. " 

E. L. ROOT & CO. 

GRE.Vr SOUTHERN FURNITURE DEALERS. 

Prominent among the large, well-conducted mercantile enter- 
prises which contribute to the trade, wealth and importance of the 
Phosphate City, will be found that of Messrs. E. L. Root (S: Co., 
the Great Southern Furniture Dealers, whose firm establishment 
occupies an eligible business site on Magnolia street. This house 
was founded in 1876 by Messrs. E. McCall&: Son. In August, 1S90, 
Messrs. C. H. Lord and E. L. Root became the proprietors, under 
the title of ('. H. Lord & Co., and in this style the business con- 
tinued until June, 1891, when Mr. Lord retired, and the present 
firm w-as organized. Under the new proprietorship the compass 
and extent of the enterprise have been materially increased, the 
facilities greatly improved, and it is now an establishment to do 
credit to any city. 

The premises consist of an imposing two-storied, double-brick 
building, 50 x 100 feet in aggregate surface dimensions, with 
plate glass front and interior appointments which indicate that 
modern ideas of both convenience and attractiveness prevail. 
There are two salesrooms, one devoted to furniture, etc., and the 
other to vehicles. In the former are shown the latest and most 
elegant productions in household furniture and house furnishing 
goods generally, from the costliest parlor and drawing-room sets 
to the moderate-priced but equally desirable kitchen equipage. 
The carriage department is equally complete and comprehensive. 
Here are shown the newest and finest designs in carriages, wagons, 
buggies and saddlery, each line being of sutificient variety to meet 
the requirements of the most exacting taste or fancy. 

This enterprising firm have recently added to their already 
extensive business what may justly be termed one of the most 



138 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

complete and best equipped undertaking establishments in the 
South. This department is under the immediate supervision of a 
practical and eminently skilful undertaker and embalmer, and its 
facilities are ample for taking full charge of obsequies from pre- 
paration of remains to final sepulture. 

The house does an extensive and rapidly increasing general 
business, and enjoys a patronage from the city and county which 
distinguishes it as the leading as well as most popular enterprise 
in its field in this section. 

Mr. E. L. Root is a native of Anson ia, Conn., and an active, 
able and progressive business man. He came to Ocala in 1S86, 
and was associated with his father in the proprietorship of a lead- 
ing livery establishment prior to embarking in the present enter- 
prise. 

Mr. Root is a Director of the Peninsular Phosphate Company, 
and President of the Covenant Building and Loan Association of 
Knoxville, Tenn., and a popular figure in both social and business 
circles. 

Mr. F. E. Bugbee, the "Co." of the firm, is one of the best- 
known and most popular young business and society men of 
Ocala. 

S. R. RIRDSEY & CO. 
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL HARDWARE AND GROCERIES. 

One of the prominent mercantile establishments of Ocala is 
that of Messrs. S. R. Birdsey & Co., wholesale and retail dealers 
in hardware and groceries. This business was founded by the 
head of the present firm in 1884, and was originally located in the 
"Gary Block." Three years ago a removal was made to the 
present site, and in 1890, Mr. A. H. Birdsey, a son of the founder, 
became a co-partner in the business under the above title. 

The store, 30 x 125 feet in size, is eligibly situated on Mag- 
nolia street, near the Plaza, and its general appointment is in full 
accord with the best modern ideas of convenience and attractive- 
ness. A large, comprehensive and complete stock is carried, em- 
bracing everything desirable in shelf and heavy hardware, and 
goods pertaining to this line, together with staple and fancy gro- 
ceries of every description. In addition to the store, the firm 
have a large warehouse for surplus storage. The house receives 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. I39 

a lar.<>'e and witlcly extended patronai^'e, and does a general busi- 
ness of most prosperous annual aggregate. The firm make it a 
point to keep their stock up to the highest standard in point of 
quality, variety and completeness, and the establishment is a 
favorite source of supply in its line for the city and surrounding 
trade. Mr. S. R. Birdsey is a native of North Carolina, but has 
been long a prominent figure in Dcala business circles. He has 
served as a member of the Board of Aldermen, and has ever been 
|:)rominently identified with the promotion of the best interests of 
the commonwealth. 

Mr. Birdsey, Jr., like his father, is generally respected in the 
community, and ranks among the representative young business 
and society men of the " Phosphate City." 

Y FRED. G. i;. WEIHE, Y 

WATCHM,A.KER, JEWELER AND OPTICIAN. 

The jewelry trade, like all other branches of mercantile in- 
dustry, is ably represented in Ocala, a widely known and popular 
establishment in this line being that of Mr. Fred. G. B. Weihe, 
watchmaker, jeweler and optician. The store, located in the 
Opera House Block on the public square, is one of the attractive 
features of this great shopping district. It is a spacious and 
well-arranged corner apartment, with handsome plate glass front, 
while the interior appointment embraces all the elegancies and 
conveniences of the modern first-class metropolitan jewelry estab- 
ment. The stock, so attractively displayed, is one of the best- 
selected and most complete to be met with in the South. Here 
can be found gold and silver watches in great variety of design, 
representing the best home and foreign makes; the newest novel- 
ties and most e.xtiuisite designs in jewelry and silver ware, gold 
pens, optical goods of every description, society emblems; in 
short, everything pertaining to a strictly first-class establishment 
in its line. Manufacturing and repairing of all kinds are executed 
in the highest degree of artistic and mechanical excellence, and 
in all respects it is a house to do credit to any city. The estab- 
lishment is liberally patronized by the best city and vicinity cus- 
tom, and the general business is both extensive and prosperous. 

Mr. Weihe is a native of Louisville, Ky., and an expert 
jeweler, watchmaker, etc., of twenty years' experience in the 



140 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



business. He came to Ocala six years ago to take charge of a 
store for an Ocala and Leesburg jewelry firm. In 1885 he bought 
out and has since conducted the business in an eminently success- 
ful and popular manner. Mr. Weihe makes a specialty of fine 
diamonds, and carries one of the finest assortments of these goods 
to be met with in the Southern trade. 

Mr. Weihe is foreman of Marion Hose Co., No. i, a crack 
company of the Ocala Fire Department, 




M. FISHEL, 
DRY GOODS, CLOTHING, STAPLE AND FANCY GROCERIES, ETC. 

One of the most popular general stores of Ocala is that of Mr. 
M. Fishel, dealer in dry goods, clothing, staple and fancy groceries, 
notions and fancy goods, in the Agnew Block on Magnolia street. 
The store, 25 x 150 feet in dimensions, is fitted up in a style of 
convenience and attractiveness combined, and the large, compre- 
hensive and complete stock of goods displayed embraces every- 
thing desirable in the several lines above mentioned. A corps of 
experienced and courteous clerks is in attendance, and the wants 



liUSINESS INTERESTS. 14I 

of the numerous patrons are carefully considered and promptly 
and satisfactorily supplied. 'J'he store is a favorite purchasinij 
depot for a lar.u,e country trade as well as for a most desirable city 
custom, and the general business is [n-()S[:)erous and extensive. 

Mr. Fishel, the proprietor, is a gentleman long and promi- 
nently identified with the business in hand. He first established 
himself in Alabama in 1S76. in 1S86 he came to Ocala and 
founded his present fine enterprise. 

Mr. Fishel is a director of the Ocala Building and Loan As- 
sociation and the Semi-Tropical Exposition, and a leading member 
of the Ocala Lodge of K. of H. He owns considerable valuable 
property in the city, and is one of the indjlic-spirited and highly 
respected citizens of ( )cala. 

A. E. DELOUFST. 

GENERAL H.-VRDWARE, FARMING 'rOOLS, >ni,L SUI'I'LIES, ETC. 

Prominent among the large and well-conducted mercantile 
enterprises of the "Brick City " will be found that of Mr. A. E. 
Delouest, dealer in general hardware, etc., etc. The store is on 
Magnolia Street, facing the Plaza, in the heart of the business 
section of the city. It is a spacious apartment, 30 x 125 feet in 
dimensions, arranged in a systematic and convenient manner, and 
embodying in its general appointment the best modern ideas of 
utility and attractiveness. Here can be found in great variety 
everything in the line of shelf and heavy hardware, also sash, 
doors, mixed paints, pumps, wagon materials, pipe and fittings, 
farming tools, mill supplies, etc., etc. Besides the large display 
in the store, Mr. Delouest has commodious brick warehouses, liter- 
ally packed with the staple commodities above enumerated, and 
no house in this line in the South is better prepared for supplying 
promptly and satisfactorily all wants of the trade in this connec- 
tion. The establishment is a favorite source of supply for a 
voluminous and extensive country trade, in addition to a very 
large and desirable local custom, and an exceedingly prosperous 
general business is done. 

Mr. Delouest is a native of France, but came to New York in 
early boyhood, forty years ago. He has been in the hardware 
trade for the greater part of his life, his connection therewith 
ranging from junior clerk to proprietor. He embarked in the 



142 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

present enterprise in 1882, and is to-day one of the foremost and 
most highl_v respected city mercliants. 

Mr. Delouest's residence (see illustration) is one of the finest 
in town. 

OCALA NEWS DEPOT, 
I. ISRAEI,, I'KOPRIETOR. 

Among the representative mercantile establishments of Ocala 
will be found that of Mr. I. Israel, proprietor of the (3cala News 
Depot. 

This business was founded by Mr. Israel in 1881, and under 
the influence of an able and popular management, has developed 
into the proportions of a representative local enterprise. The 
store, 25 X 100 feet in size, is fitted up in the tasteful and elegant 
style which distinguishes the modern first-class metropolitan book 
store, and the general stock is correspondingly large and varied. 
Here can be found everything in the book line, from the rarest 
scientific work to the latest popular novel; also, newspapers, peri- 
odicals, school supplies, stationery of all kinds, holiday goods, 
games, bric-a-brac and an innumerable list of useful and ornamen- 
tal articles known as fancy goods. The establishment is a favorite 
resort for the literate of the city and vicinity, and a popular pur- 
chasing depot for everything in its line of trade. It is a credit to 
the city. 

Mr. Israel is a native of Philadelphia, where, for some years, 
he was a salesman in the same line. He came to Ocala in 1S81, 
and in the same year embarked in the enterprise with which he has 
since been both prosperously and popularly identified. Mr. Israel 
is a director of the International and Semi-Tropical Exposition, 
has served as a member of the Board of Aldermen, and ranks 
among Ocala's most successful and highly respected merchants. 

PETER INGRAM, MERCHANT TAILOR. 

The merchant tailoring trade, like all other branches of staple 
industry, is ably represented in the Brick City, and the society or 
business man can obtain as stylish and well-made garments here 
as he could in New York. 

A leading Ocala tailor is Mr. Peter Ingram, whose large and 
attractive store occupies a desirable business site near the center 



BUSINESS INTF.RKSTS. 143 

of the city. Mr. Inorain carries a fine line of imported and domestic 
suitings, overcoatings, trouserings, fancy vestings, etc., and is 
prepared to make up everything from evening dress to a shcKjtmg 
jacket in first-class style. His numerous patronage is composed 
of the cn'iuc dc la cre/nc of the city custom, and his work is of 
the highest order of excellence. Mr. Ingram makes it a point 
to keep thoroughly posted as to prevailing fashionable styles, and 
has unrivalled facilities for securing the latest European novelties 
in business, half-dress and other suitings, and conducts in every 
respect a hrst-class metropolitan merchant tailoring establishment. 

Mr. Ingram is a native of Scotland, where he early learned his 
trade. Later, he was for some years in London, with " Poole's" 
and other celebrated Bond Street tailoring houses. In 1881 he 
came to Chicago, where for nine years he conducted a prosperous 
business. He has been established in Ocala for the past three 
years, and is popularly recognized as the leading tailor of the city 
and one of the best in the South. 

Mr. Ingram is a firm believer in the future of Ocala and this 
section generallv, ;vnd since coming here has made extensive and 
valuable investments in city and urban realty. Among his most 
valued holdings is a tract upon the lines of the F. C. & P., F. S. 
and S. S. O. c\: G. railroads, but a short distance from the city, 
upon which he has built and owns two fine cottage residences. 
Mr. Ingram resides in a handsome cottage located on Powers near 
Eaton street — one of the best residence districts of the city — 
which he erected and owns. He is now building a fine store and 
residence combined on Maine street, upon property included in his 
city holdings. 

During his sojourn in the Prick City Mr. Ingram has made a 
careful study of realty values, and is to-day one of the best-in- 
formed men upon the subject hereabouts. He is ever ready to 
furnish reliable information and advice in this connection, and 
parties seeking investments for residence, business, or other pur- 
pose, will find his sound judgment and integrity of great advantage 
in making their selections. 

THE ANTI-MONOPOLY DRUG STORE. 

A well-appointed and well-conducted drug store is an impor- 
tant acquisition to any community, its province being to expedite 



144 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

and augment the work of medical practitioners in the preservation 
or restoration of the health of the populace. A representative 
and deservedly popular Ocala establishment to be mentioned in 
this connection is that familiarly known as the Anti- Monopoly 
Drug Store. This fine establishment occupies an eligible site on 
Magnolia Street near the Post Office, and in close proximity to 
the Plaza or public square. The business was established in 1886, 
and its subsequent career has been one of continuous and well- 
merited prosperity. 

In October, 1890, Mr. H. C. Groves became the proprietor, 
and by his well-directed management has already materially 
advanced its popularity. The salesroom, 30 x 72 feet in dimen- 
sions, is furnished in that degree of elegance peculiar to the 
modern first-class metropolitan pharmacy, and the stock of drugs, 
medicines, surgical appliances, toilet and fancy articles, etc., 
corresponds in point of size, variety and general excellence. The 
drugs used are the purest and freshest, and in the finely equipped 
laboratory in the rear of the store the most difficult prescriptions 
are carefully and skilfully compounded. Experienced drug 
clerks — all graduates m pharmacy — are employed, and the "night 
bell " indicates that the services of the establishment may be 
secured at all hours. The attractiveness of the store is materially 
added to by an elegant soda fountain, the finest in town, in fact, 
from which is served, in the highest degree of excellence, soda of 
all flavors, together with mineral waters and all the late popular 
drinks. 

Mr. Groves, the popular proprietor, is a native of Illinois, and 
a graduate of the Northwestern University in chemistry and 
botanic science. 

He came to Ocala several years ago and served as clerk in the 
fine establishment of which he is now the successful proprietor. 
Mr. Groves is a member of the Committee on Trade Interests and 
Legislation of the Florida Pharmaceutical Association, and one of 
the ablest city exponents of his profession. 

R. E. YONGE & CO. 
PRACTICAL TINNERS, PLUMllERS AND GAS FITTERS. 

Among the well-conducted and prosperous enterprises which 
form the basis of the trade wealth and importance of this progres- 



HUSINF.SS INTERESTS. 145 

sivecity, will he found that of Messrs. R. E. Yonge\:Co., practical 
tinners, plumbers and gas fitters, also dealers in tinware, sheet 
metal, basins, hot water boilers, pipe, hose and fittings. The 
spacious premises are well located for business, the site on Main 
Street opposite the Montezuma Hotel being one of the best in 
town. The establishment comprises a commodious and well- 
arranged store, heavily stocked with everything pertaining to the 
trade, with a shop in the rear thoroughly equipped for carrying on 
the business to advantage. Six experienced mechanics are em- 
ployed, and tinsmithing, plumbing, gas fitting and, in short, 
everything pertaining to this department of skilled industry, is 
executed in the best manner, and in accordance with the most 
approved sanitary rules. Special attention is given to job work 
of all kinds, estimates are furnished on application, and all orders 
are promptly and satisfactorily executed. The firm are recognized 
leaders in their line of business, and their large and liberal patron- 
age is drawn from the most desirable custom of the town and 
vicinity. 

Mr. R. E. Yonge is a native of Florida. He began business in 
T884, and three years ago was joined by Mr. Wm. Bachelder under 
the present firm name. 

Mr. Bachelder is a native of Maine, but has been for some 
years located in Ocala. He is prominently identified with the 
Y. M. C. A., and is respected and popular in all circles of the 
community. 

WATERMAN & FULLER, 
MKRCHANT TAH.ORS, CLOTHIERS AND GENTS" FURNISHERS. 

The leading city house in the clothing line is that of Messrs 
Waterman & Fuller, located on Magnolia street next to the post 
office. The store, 25 x 100 feet in size, is fitted up with plate glass 
show windows and all the modern interior adjuncts of convenience, 
utility and attractiveness, and upon the shelves and tables is shown 
one of the finest and most comprehensive stocks of men's and 
boys' clothing, hats, caps, and gentlemen's furnishings, to be 
found in the State. 

The merchant tailoring department is the leading feature of 
the business. Here can be found the latest and most fashionable 
patterns in suitings, trouserings, overcoatings, etc., representing 



146 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

the finest foreign and domestic productions. Only first-class New 
York cutters aud experienced workmen are employed, and the gar- 
ments turned out invariably represent the highest attainable artistic 
and mechanical perfection in this field. A specialty is made of 
evening or full-dress suits, and military and society uniforms are 
furnished or made up in the best manner. The house receives a 
large and liberal patronage and does a general business of pros- 
perous aggregate. 

Messrs. N. R. Waterman and J. J. Fuller compose the firm. 
Mr. Waterman is a native of Ocala, and has been in the clothing 
business for a number of years. He began as clerk with his 
father, whom he succeeded as proprietor upon the latter's death 
in 1889. The present co-partnership was formed in February, 
1S91. Mr. Fuller is a native of Alabama. He was formerly in 
the general merchandise business at Homosassa. Both gentle- 
men are regarded as representative young Ocala merchants. 

THE PALACE DRUG STORE. 
F. A. TEAGl'E & CO., PROPRIETORS. 

One of the finest places of business in Ocala is that familiarly 
known as the Palace Drug Store. This fine establishment is most 
desirably located on the square, facing the Plaza, and in the center 
of the town. The large, admirably arranged store is fitted up in 
sumptuous modern style, and, with its plate glass front, elegant 
interior appartments and tastefully displayed stock, constitutes an 
attractive feature of this popular shopping district. The stock of 
drugs, chemicals, surgical appliances, proprietary medicines, toilet 
and fancy articles, is large, comprehensive and complete; the 
laboratory is supplied with all requisite facilities for compounding 
the most difticult prescriptions, and the establishment in appoint- 
ment and conduct is an eminent type of the first class metropoli- 
tan drug store. 

Messrs. Teague &: Co. use only the purest and freshest drugs, 
and only thoroughly competent pharmacists are entrusted with the 
compounding of prescriptions. They have a large patronage, 
composed of the best medical and family custom of the city and 
vicinity, and do a general business of prosperous proportions. 

The Palace Drugstore was first established in 1883 by Messrs. 
T. A. Orr & Co. In 1887 Messrs. Wright & Frazer succeeded to 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 147 

the l)usiness, and were in turn succeeded in April, iSqi, l)y the 
present firm. 

Mr. F. A. Tea.^'ue, at the head of the firm, is President of the 
City Council anil a prominent figure in phosphate, real estate and 
other circles. (See sketch ami portrait.) 

Dr. John AI. Thompson is a native of South Carolina. He 
accpiired his profession at the Jefferson Medical Ccjllege, from 
which he graduated in the class of '72, and subsequently for eight 
years practiced medicine in his native town of Newburg. In Jan- 
uary, 1889, he came to Ocala and soon built u[) a large and lucra- 
tive practice, which he still retains. Dr. Thompson is a popular 
member of the State and County Medical Associations, and a lead- 
ing local practitioner. 

C. F. BREWER & CO., 
MUSIC HOrSE AND DEALERS IN I'lANOS, ORllANS, SEWIN'G MACHINES, ETC. 

Among her many and varied mercantile enterprises Ocala num- 
bers a well-stocked and well-conducted music house, where also 
are handled sewing machines and general supplies therefor. This 
popular establishment is favorably located on Magnolia street, 
near the square. The com.modious salesroom is fitted up in 
attractive style, and the large and comprehensive stock is well 
displayed. 

Messrs. Brewer t\: Co. handle the Hardmann, Everett and 
Mehlin pianos, the Story and Clark organs, and the New Home 
sewing machines, of which a full stock is carried. They also 
have a fine line of other musical instruments, including flutes, 
clarionets, cornets, orguinettes, etc., and their assortment of musi- 
cal merchandise is complete in every department. The firm sell 
for cash, or on easy payments, pianos, organs, sewing machines, 
etc., which are also rented or exchanged for old instruments and 
machines upon liberal terms. A feature is made of tuning and 
repairing, and the large and liberal patronage received shows 
the popularity of the house with both city and suburban 
customers. 

Mr. Brewer, the head of the firm, is a native of Chicago, and 
an experienced and able exponent of the business in hand. Mr. 
W. S. Pike, the junior member, is a Maine man, a skilful musi- 
cian, and an expert repairer and tuner of instruments. The firm 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



has been established since 1886, and has built up a prosperous and 
growing business. 

DUKKS cV COURTNEY, 
DEALERS IN CHOICE FAMILY AND GREEN CROCERIES. 

A popular Ocala establishment in the retail grocery line is that 
of Messrs. Dukes &: Courtney, located at the corner of Main 
Street and Ocklawaha Avenue. The store, 20 x 60 feet in size, is 
fitted up in a remarkably neat and attractive style, with all the 
modern conveniences for displaying to advantage the large, com- 
prehensive and complete stock. Here can be found everything 
in the line of family groceries, also country produce of all kinds 
in season. These goods are carefully selected from the most 
reputable sources of supply, with special regard for the require- 
ments of the high-class family and hotel trade. The house is 
liberally patronized by the best custom, and a large and highly 
prosperous general business is done. 

Mr. P. B. Dukes is a native of Alabama, but came to Florida at 
an early age. He was formerly in business in the market, but in 
January, 1891, embarked in the present enterprise. 

Mr. G. D. Courtney is a Bostonian. Ten years ago he came 
to Ocala, and finding the climate and town decidedly to his liking, 
has now become a permanent resident. He is an old hand at the 
grocery and produce business, having been prominently identified 
therewith for the major portion of his life. Like his present 
co-partner, he was formerly in business in the market, and is well 
and popularly known to the trade. 

Mr. Dukes is a member of the City Board of Aldermen. 

gadson's bazaar store. 

L. A. GADSON, PRUPRIE TOR. F. P. GADSON, MANAGER. 

An attractive and popular mercantile establishment is that 
familiarly known as " Gadson's Bazaar." The store, 20 x 70 feet 
in size, is fitted up in a remarkably tasteful manner. Upon the 
shelves and in the handsome show windows and counter cases is 
displayed a fine assortment of dry and fancy goods, notions, glass- 
ware, ladies' and children's underwear, pictures and frames, and 
a long list of useful and ornamental articles, too numerous for 
classification. It is, in fact, as its name implies, an excellent 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



149 



type of the modem "Bazaar" or fancy i^-oods store, with a com- 
prehensive stock selected with the utmost care, and in variety 
sufficient to meet the requirements of every taste and fancy. 
The "Bazaar " receives a merited large and liberal patronage, and 
is a popular purchasing depot for both city and country people. 

Mr. Gadson has the agency for this section of the famous 
Philadelphia clothing house of Wanamaker & Brown, and carries 
a full list of samples for suits, trousers, overcoats, fancy vests, 
and for everything in men's and boys' garments. He has a large 
custom in this department, and it forms an important branch of 
the prosperous general business. Mr. F. V. Gadson was born in 
South Carolina, but came to Gainsville, Fl;i , at an early age. In 
18S1 he came to Ocala, and in 1885 established the business with 
which he has since been successfully identified. Mr. Gadson is 
City Treasurer and Tax Collector, also Sunday School Superinten- 
dent and a Trustee of the A. M. E. Church, and ranks among the 
prominent and most highly respected colored men of Florida. 




Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCA LA, FLORIDA. 



No. ^3. — 22 acres first-class pine land, near Anthony, in grove. Price, $4,0(:o. 

No. 74. — Number of lots in Silver Springs Park. Price, S30 to $60. 

No. 75.-39 acres improved pine land, $150. Also, two parcels, 40 acres each, 
$100; two parcels, 20 acres each, $50. Above lands in Brevard, Lee 
and IIillsl;)orough counties. 
Also, two lots in Silver Springs Park. Price, $20 each. 

No. 76.— Two lots at Silver Springs Park; storehouse plastered and with shelving 

and counters, six nice rooms up stairs, on premises; also, stable; near 

the depot; best location in town. P'rice, $1,650. 
No. 77.— 20 acres land, with beautiful natural spring and good one-and-a-half-story 

house, about three and a half miles north-east of Ocala; good location 

for intending settler. Price, $450. 
No. 78. — Two lots at Silver Springs Park, on Main street. Each $125. 

No. 79. — Seven-room cottage, modern type, new, all improvements, half acre 
grounds, on Exposition street. One of the finest homes in Ocala, all 
furnished. Price, $3,900. 

No. So. — 240 acres hummock and pine, two miles south of Wildwood, Sumter Co., 
said to contain phosphate. Price, $6 per acre. 

No. 81. — 40 acres, adjoining Dunnellon phosphate mines; good deposit of phos- 
phate. Price, $20 per acre. 

No. 82.— Lot, 154 feet on Magnolia and 100 feet on North Second streets. Block 
59 O, S. of Ocala; fine building site, or good investment to hold. Price, 
$2,500. 

No. 83. — 40 acres phosphate land, five miles southwest of Ocala; will be sold 
cheap. Open to investigation. 

No. 84. — 18 acres select orange grove, one-half bearing, balance seven years old, 
at Citra. Price, $10,000. 

No. 85. — 25 acres first-class pine land in Oxford, 5 acres in grove, three acres five 
years old, two dwellings; fine home. Price, $2,500. 

No. 86.— Valuable place adjoining " No. 85 "—10 acres first-class pine, all in bear- 
ing grove; produced 350 to 400 boxes. In Oxford. Price, $3,500. 

No. 87. 10 acres pine land under fence and in grove; 300 budded trees, four- 
room house, cistern, quarter of a mile from depot. In Candler or 
"Smith's Lake." Price, $1,000. 
Also, good unimproved lands adjoining above, will be sold cheap. 



Bulletin of Special Bargains offered by 
L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



No. 88.— Two-acre lot in town of Anthony, eight-room house, detached kitchen 
and dining-room; i8 pear trees, 6 peach, 230 orange, 2 scuppernong 
and 3 Concord grape vines. Price, $1,000; $500 cash, balance one 
year at 10 per cent. 

No. 89. — 160 acres, 40 hummock, balance pine, 10 acres of pine cleared; near and 
north of Old Town, Marion County. Price, $10 per acre. 

No. go.— Five-acre orange tract at Silver Springs Park. Very desirable. Price, 
$225. 

No. 91. — 40 acres, section 11, range 19, township iS. Very cheap. Price, $15. 

No. 92. — 132 acres first-class pine, 227 orange trees— 150 bearing— 70 peach 
trees, 10 Niagara grape vines, bearing, and other semi-tropical fruits. 
Dwelling, five rooms and out-buildings. On a clear water lake, near 
Higley P. O., Lake County. Very desirable home. Price, $5,000. 

No. 93. — 40 acres near Auburndale, Great bargain. Price, $2,000. 

No. 94.— Two desirable parcels of land, one 10 acres, one 15 acres, near Ocala. 
Apply for price. 

No. 95.-36 acres fine pine land, 25 acres under fence, 7 acres in grove, mostly 
bearing, balance timber land, log house, etc. One mile from Electra 
P. O. ; in view of Lake Bryant. Price, $700. 

No. 96.— 40 acres mixed land on Orange Lake, near famous "Bishop" Lemon 
Cirove, $500. 
Also, two lots in Citra, under fence, set in fruit trees, six-room house. Price, 
$1,000. 

No. 97.— 201 acres good timber land, all in township 16, range 24. Price per 
acre, $10. 

No. 98.- City (Ocala) lot 112 x 104, house five rooms, three large bearing orange 
trees, city water, etc. Price, $1,100. 

No. 99.— 280 acres farm land near Beresford P. O. Price, $8 per acre. 

No. 100. — 68-^4 acres good farm land in ^L1rion County, adjoining Leroy. Very 
cheap, $20 per acre. 

No. loi.— 55 acres on Orange avenue, only about one and a half miles from city 
limits (Ocala). One of the richest pieces of hummock in the State (por- 
tion of " Sanchez grant"). Adapted to fruit, vegetable and other farm- 
ing; rare chance for dairy farm. Good house, cistern, etc. Price, 
$2,500. 



FRUITLAND PARK. 




HIS charming vista of crystal lakes, high, wooded 
hills, semi-tropical forest and vegetation, highly 
cultivated orange groves, nurseries, fruit and truck 
farms, beautiful country homes, etc., etc., is about 
one hour's ride south of Ocala, on the line of the 
Florida Southern Railroad, and four miles north of 
the growing city of Leesburg. It is also at the head of steamboat 
navigation on 1-ake Griffin by way of the Ocklawaha and St. 
Johns rivers, with ample facilities for this delightful mode of travel 
from Jacksonville. It is also within two miles of the main line of 
the Florida Central & Peninsular Railroad. 

Fruitland Park embraces about three square miles of territory. 
Within this district are twenty-two deep, clear-water lakes, 
ranging from one to 200 acres in area, each with clear, white, 
sandy bottom and beach, giving to the waters a wonderful trans- 
parency and sparkling crystal-like effect, surrounded by lovely 
building sites. The land is high, rolling and thickly timbered 
with pine, oak and other indigenous growths, rising, often abruptly, 
from the lake shores to a height of 20 to 90 feet above the waters 
of the lake, and the hilltops are equal to the highest altitude on 
the peninsula. The soil is a rich creamy loam, with clay sub- 
soil, and is pre-eminently adapted for orange, and, in fact, all 
citrus fruit culture, as well as for all vegetables and nursery stock 
raised in the land of flowers. 

P^ruitland Park is situated upon the great ridge or backbone of 
Florida in the narrowest part of the peninsula, and the refreshing 
breezes from ocean and gulf, combined with high, dry land, mois- 
ture from the lakes and other and peculiar advantages, secure to 
it a remarkably mild, equable and healthful climate. Here is 
surelv the region par-excellence for artist, health-seeker, home- 
maker, horticulturist, and, in fact, for any and every one capable 



152 OCALA, FLORIDA. 

of appreciating a section of country where Dame Nature has 
deigned to appear in her loveliest garb. From vantage ground 
there is presented an expansive view of wooded hills, shadowy 
nooks and valleys, and broad, green fields, the landscape dotted 
here and there by sparkling lakes set in a framework of white 
beach with a back-ground of emerald forest and glade, interspersed 
with magnificent orange groves, nursery farms, etc. Prominent 
and charming features of the perspective are the broad boulevards 
skirting the lakes, conforming to the contour of the beach, afford- 
ing facilities for a delightful drive, canter or promenade; the 
numerous cottages and baronial residences nestled on the hillsides, 
in the midst of the evergreen orange groves and perpetual-bloom- 
ing roses and rare exotics, exhalnig a never-ending fragrance. 

Fruitland Park is appropriately as well as euphoniously named. 
It is located in the very heart of the famous "orange belt " of 
Florida, and the culture of citrus fruits reaches at this point the 
acme of perfection. There are now over 1,000 acres of orange 
groves in the highest state of cultivation. Besides oranges, there 
are grown, with the highest success, lemons, limes, pomello, citron, 
figs, guava, grapes, plums, peaches, apricots, dates, pears, 
bananas, mulberries, strawberries, pomegranates, pineapples, per- 
simmons, and all semi-tropical fruits and some tropical fruits. 
Cabbages, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, sugar cane, tobacco, 
rice, corn and oats are also successfully cultivated. The nursery 
business is largely and very profitably represented, and the raising 
of cattle, horses, sheep, swine and poultry, under proper condi- 
tions, has been demonstrated to be a lucrative industry. 

But Fruitland Park, as its name implies, excels most as a fruit- 
growing district. The fertile soil, mild and salubrious climate, 
and water protection afforded by the numerous lakes, conduce in 
a marked degree to the eminently successful following of this 
branch of horticulture, and nowhere in Florida are more or finer 
varieties of citrus and other semi-tropical fruits grown. At the 
New Orleans Exposition of i884-'5, ten citizens of Lake County 
were awarded nineteen first and twelve special premiums for fruit 
exhibited, out of sixty-two premiums won by the entire State of 
Florida. Of this premium fruit, a goodly portion was grown at 
Fruitland Park and vicinity. 

The first settler at Fruitland Park was Major O. P. Rooks, the 



BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



153 



well-known horticulturist. Major Rooks came here eleven years 
ago and located what, under his fostering care, has become one of 
the finest and most noted fruit plantations in Florida. He has now 
100 varieties of citrus fruits, almost all semi-tropical and many 
tropical fruits, vegetables and plants, among which may be men- 
tioned mango, sappadillo, cheremoyo, Avacada pear, sugar apple, 
cayenne cherry, tropical paw-paw, Granodillo, Barbadoes goose- 
berry, pineapples. Major Rooks has been an enthusiastic horti- 
culturist for years, and by extensive experimenting in selection 
and cultivation has obtained wonderful results in fruit, vegetable 



GARDEN SCENE 
AT 

MAJOR O. P. ROOKS 
" FRUITLAND." 




E-XHTHIT OF 

MAJOR ROOKS AT 

I MI-TROPICAL EXI'OSIT'N 



and flower culture. So diversified are his interests in this connec- 
tion, that he is now shipping his productions every month in the 
year, and has oranges for shipment until June. 

Major Rooks' oranges have a standard reputation, and always 
command a premium price in market — as for that matter do all 
his productions. He has during the past two seasons supplied the 
Executive Mansion at Washington, D. C, with the choicest 
oranges grown. Of the New Orleans Exposition premiums above 
mentioned, Major Rooks received twenty-two of the thirty-two 
awarded to Florida exhibitors. At the Sub-Tropical Exposition 
at Jacksonville and Semi-Tropical Exposition at Ocala in 1889 



154 



OCALA, FLORIDA. 



and 1S90, he was awarded first premium and three gold medals 
for exhibits, and at the latter Exposition "for best individual fruit 
display," and also the grand Wilder Medal of the American Pomo- 
logical Society. 

Fruitland Park to-day is a progressive and prosperous commu- 
nity of educated and refined people, with churches, schools, liter- 
ar}^ and debating societies, and all the advantages of town life. 
The beautiful lakes afford the best fishing, boating and bathing ; 
also will furnish an ample supply of water for irrigating purposes, 
and the woods, teeming with game, are a never-failing source of 
pleasure for the sportsman. 

Fruitland Park is destined to become one of Florida's most 
lovely Winter resorts. Although only partially developed now, 
it has all the attractions and natural advantages that can be found 
in the interior of the State. Tourists seeking health, pleasure and 
rest, in pure, cool, bracing air, and the most delightful tempera- 
ture in America, amid scenes of semi-tropical grove and garden, 
should not fail to visit Fruitland Park. Those seeking a Winter 
residence or permanent home, will do well to take a look at Fruit- 
land Park. Invalids suffering from catarrh, hay fever, asthma, 
bronchitis, pulmonary diseases in their first stages, will find the 
dry atmosphere of these high, rolling pine lands at Fruitland Park 
a specific and cure, as many already here testify. 







wmwmmm 



L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 

OCALA, FLORIDA. 

NOTICE. 

To the non-resident tax-payers of Silver Spring Park and Marion County, for 
whom I acted as agent last year in the payment of their taxes, I beg to state that 
my time is now entirely occupied with other matters, so that I will Ix- unable to 
look after the tax business this year. If you desire to pay your taxes through an 
agent here, I would respectfully refer you to Messrs. L. J. Haisley & Co., of this 
city, who, I feel sure, will serve you in an acceptable manner, as they have pre- 
pared to give this branch of their business prompt and careful attention. 

Very respectfully, 

A. McINTYRE. 



Referring to the above notice of Mr. A. Mclntyre, we take this opportunity of 
offering you our services in looking after your taxes in this (Marion) county. We 
are prepared to attend to the payment of taxes and assessments for non-resident 
property owners, to see that the property is properly listed and assessed, and to act 
generally in the interest of owners. 

We have been engaged as agents for the investment of capital and the transfer 
of real estate, including the payment of taxes and all matters incidental thereto, for 
the past seven years. Our correspondence extends throughout the United States, 
Canada and England. 

In order to enable us most effectually to serve our patrons and protect their 
interests, it is necessary that we should have full and correct description of prop- 
ertv, with Number, Section, Township and Range; if town property, with num- 
ber of Lot and Block. This can be ascertained by reference to the last tax 
receipts. 

If favored with your instructions, we will at once examine the tax books and 
notify you as to the amount due on your property for the year 1890. You may rest 
assured that, on the receipt of the money, we will give our immediate and careful 
attention to your business and avoid all unnecessary delay. 

Very respectfully, 

L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 

Ocala, Fla. 




T^HAT printer's ink fer- 
tilizes business as 
phosphate fertilizes soil. 
But it must be applied 
with discretion. Printing 
ought to be neat, tasteful 
and artistic, for people will 
judge your business by 
your printing, just as they 
guage a man by the ap 
pearance of his face. 

THE REPUBLIC PRESS, 

536-538 PEARL STREET, 
NEW YORK. 

printed this book. What do you think of it? Isn't it 
creditable to us'? Isn't it a big advertisement for the 
interests described therein"? We are Art Printers, and 
make new and original designs for all sorts of publica- 
tions : we study ancient and modern publications for finest 
effects of types, inks, papers and bindings; and execute 
letter-press work in the height of 
art. Of course you have to have 
printing done ; for if you don't 
blow your own horn, nobody will 
blow it for you. Then when you 
need the aid of the "Art Preserv- 
ative," send to us. 




THE 



Norwich Line, 



^^ FAVORITE INSIDE ROUTE'' 



BOSTON 



AND ALL: 



POINTS NORTH AND EAST. 



DIRECT ROUTE TO 

NEW LONDON, NORWICH 
AND WORCESTER. 



STEAMERS, including: Palatial 

"CITY OF WORCESTER" 

(" Queen of the Sound Fleet,") 

Leave PIER 40 io^I nuviber^, N. R., next pier above 

Desbrosses Street Ferry, DAIL V, except Siuilays, 

at 5.30 P-M. 








d' 








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iM- Mam Scfiedui& SimemU i^, 



C. H. COLBY, 

pi70tO(^rapf7er, 

PAS'J'EL, CRAYOX, ALL MODERN POR'LRAIirk'l: 
1)i;ai,f,k en 

PHOTOGRAPHERS' SUPPLIES. 



{Photos used ill this work by " COLBY.") 



SMOKE ^^CO ^^^-r 

T- *^ J- CIGARS 

CHAS. PEYSER. 

Sole Manufacturer and Proprietor of the 

El Troi^ico CiCtAR K^cxory, r<o. lo6, 

THE SILVER SPRINGS, OCALA & GULF 

RAILROAD. 



THE HIGHLAND ROUTE. 

F 



\ROM OCALA, via famous Blue Springs and Duiniclloti 
Phosphate FioMs, to Hernando and Inverness. 



Braneh from DutineUon to Homosassa-on-tJte-GuIf. 



FIRST CLASS SERVICE, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, Ac, Ac 



Conneetion at Oeala for Silver Springs and Oeklaioaha, 
St. A nimustine, Jaeksonville and all points North and West. 




FLom mm i nmn e. i 



THE "FLORIDA TRUNK LINE." 



Shortest and Quickest Route between Jacksonville, Fernandina, Tallahassee, 
Silver Springs, Ocala, Tampa and all points in South Florida. 



Reaches the principal TOURIST POINTS in Florida without change of 
cars. The DIRECT SHORT LINE to the favorite and best Hunting and 
Fishing Grounds in the State. 

Connects, via Callahan (shortest route) with Atlantic Coast Line for all 
points North and West. Connects at Jacksonville with Clyde Steamship Line, and 
at Fernandina with Mallory Steamship Line. 

Full Sleeping Car Service, Pullman "Buffet" Sleeping Cars from Callahan to 
New York without change. Elegant service, quick time, full connections, 
favorite route, etc, etc. 



New York, IHiarleston, S. C, and Jacksonville, Fla., Service. 



ST. JOHN'S RIVER SERVICE 

between Jacksonville, ralalka, and Saiilnrd, Kla., and all inleriiiediale l.andin.-rs <in Sl..|(din's ]U\cr 




rUY-WEEKLY DEPAHTIKES KETWKEX 

Itcut %]ovh rtub Citrtx*lcstct»t, g. (it., 

rtltb all fg^icrtnbit PoUxtsk, 

The fleet is composed of the following elegant steamers: "Algonquin," "Iro- 
Qrois," "Seminole," "Cherokee," "Yemassee," "Delaware," one of which is 
appointed to sail from Pier 29, K. R. (foot of Roosevelt Street), New York, 

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS, at 3 P. M. 

THIS IS THE ONLY LINE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND JACKSONVILLE, 
FLORIDA, WITHOUT CHANGE, making close connections at Jacksonville with 
F. C. & P. R. R., J. T. & K. W, R'y, and J. St. A. & H. R. R. R. 



Clyde's St. Joliu'-^ River Nteaiiier§. 

(De Bary Line,) 
Comprising the elegant steamers "City of Jacksonville," "Fred'k de Bahy-," 
" Everglade," and " Welaka," leaving Jacksonville daily at 3:30 p. m., except 
Saturdays, for Sanpohd, Fla., and intermediate landings, making connection with 
all-rail lines at Palatka, Astor, Blue Springs and Sanford, for all points in 
Florda. 



Passenger accommodations unsurpassed, steamers being supplied with all modern 
improvements, steam steering-gear, electric lights, electric bells, baths, etc. 

The cumnc on the steamers of the " CLYDE LINE " is unexcelled by any other line, 
the table being supplied with tlie best that the Northern or Southern markets aflford.' 

For further information apply to 



THEO. Q. EQER, T. M., 

5 Bowling Green, New York. 



MARSHALL H. CLYDE, A. T. M., 

5 Bowling Green, New York. 



WM. 



P. CLYDE & CO., General Agents, 



5 Bowling Green, New York. 12 So. Wharves, Philadelphia, Pa. 



L. J. HAISLEY &, CO., 

Invest iT^ei^it 
and Real Estate Broilers. 

Oeala, Florida. 

LOANS negotiated at 8 per cent., payable semi-annually. 
Surveying, Mapping and Platting. Abstracts furnished. 
Paying taxes for non-residents a specialty. Estimates for cost 
and care of groves furnished for purchasers and parties owning 
property. 

We are Agents for the Ocala Company 



Which owns, besides the 200-room 
brick hotel, 5,000 acres, located on 
high ground adjacent to this rapidly- 
growing city, laid out in lots for 
homes. 

It is known as " West End, Ocala." 
Subscriptions to a limited amount of 
the Ocala Company's stock will be 
received through us. Shares $100 
each, including a bonus to subscribers 
of a warranty deed to ten lots 40x100 
feet in said "West End." Prices of 
single lots range from $50 to $150. 

The Semi-Tropical E.xposition build" 
ing, a permanent institution, is lo- 
cated on the above grounds. 



Tt/E are constantly in communica- 
tion with property owners who 
are desirous of realizing on improved 
places in order to more fully improve 
other properties, and as a consequence 
we are constantly adding numbers of 
new bargains to our large lists. All 
letters of inquiry are filed and 
promptly answered. 



QCALA 



\\ 



w w 



Is the future Metropolis and Capital of Florida, the gate- 
way to the luxuriant wealth of the richest and most wonderful 
section of the Peninsular State. 

Plo^t ^erttttifitl rtu5> CjiMtltljtul ^t,?x'ttc»»t of ^lovt^it. 

See Bulletin List for Special Bargains. Always mention 
" List No. — " In remitting send New York Exchange, or Post 
Office Money Order, adding $1.25 for the Recording of the 
Deed, to order of 

L. J. HAISLEY & CO., 

OCALA, FLORIDA. 



B. 3. j^atefe^ ^ €0/6 ^pectaf Offer. 

For a limited time onlv we will sell at the below unprecedcntedly Low Prices, 
the lots descrilied in the following diagram, situated in West End, Ocala. 




Directly opposite the beautiful grounds of the Semi-Tropical Exposition. Ten 

Minutes' Walk from the center of the City. Street car line passes 

these Lots on Broadway. 

Your choice of lots fronting on Broadway, for $15(1; of those fronting on Warren 
avenue $100, and those fronting Arlington avenue, Florida avenue or tlie Boulevard, 
$50. " First come, first served." Delays often lose great bargains. Purchase at once 
and thereby secure the first chance at these Unexcelled Bargains. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 541 277 8 






